Saving the world from nuclear war : the June 12, 1982, disarmament rally and beyond / Vincent J. Intondi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Intondi, Vincent J., author.

Series:

Johns Hopkins nuclear history and contemporary affairs.

Johns Hopkins Nuclear History and Contemporary Affairs Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Antinuclear movement--New York (State)--New York--History--20th century.

Antinuclear movement.

Nuclear disarmament--History--20th century.

Nuclear disarmament.

United Nations. General Assembly. Special Session on Disarmament--(2nd : 1982).

United Nations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (151 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Baltimore, Maryland : Johns Hopkins University Press, [2023]

Summary:

"On June 12, 1982, more than a million people gathered in Central Park for "the disarmament rally to end all disarmament rallies." Timed to coincide with and show support for the United Nations Second Special Session on disarmament, the demonstration demanded an end to the global nuclear arms race. This historic event represents the height of the antinuclear movement, and was (at that time) the largest mass protest in American history, easily larger than those in opposition to the Vietnam War. The author has written a compact history of the event - not only the day itself, but the months of planning and logistics work that made it so successful"-- Provided by publisher.

"Examines how the June 12, 1982, rally for nuclear disarmament paved the way for a new generation of activists.On June 12, 1982, one million people filled the streets of New York City and rallied in Central Park to show support for the United Nations' Second Special Session on Disarmament. They demanded an end to the nuclear arms race and called for a shift from military funds to money allocated for human needs. In The Last Dance, Vincent Intondi explores this demonstration from its inception through the months of organizing, recruiting, and planning, to the historic day itself. Movement leaders were forced to confront the Reagan administration, ideological differences, racism, homophobia, and misogyny to pull off what became the largest peace demonstration in US history. While nuclear disarmament has been typically viewed as a white, middle-class issue, Intondi shows that the nuclear disarmament movement was much more diverse than previously thought. Groups representing African Americans, women, and the LGBTQ community were all active during this period, and among the main organizers of the June 12 demonstration. Drawing on archival materials and interviews with rally organizers and activists in Central Park that day, Intondi takes the reader on a journey through the height of the Cold War and shows how a million people came together to demand an end to the arms race. Although the threat of nuclear war remains today, this historic rally contributed to the Reagan administration changing course on nuclear weapons and paved the way for a new generation of activists committed to saving the world from nuclear annihilation"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: Dedication

Abbreviations

Forward

Part I: Setting the Stage

1. Introduction

2. The Movement Awakens

Part II: The Last Dance

3. Planning the Rally

4. June 12, 1982

Part III: Encore

5. The Legacy of June 12th and Beyond

Notes

Bibliography.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Intondi, Vincent J. Saving the World from Nuclear War

ISBN:

9781421446417

1421446413

OCLC:

1371141177