Commemoration of Hiroshima Day

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 11, 11 August 1987, Page 1

Commemoration of Hiroshima Day

Hundreds of men, women and children have united for a Walk For Peace from Cape Reinga and Wellington that will

have taken a month to complete when they reach their goal Taupo. The Peace Walk coincides with Hiroshima Day 6 Au-

gust, Nagasaki Day on 8 August and the national elections on 15 August. A core group of 20 people left Wellington on 14 July and anticipate joining up with a group from the northem areas of the North Island on 14 August. The marchers are individuals with a common goal- a nuclear free New Zealand and the promotion of World Peace, according to Peter, a peace walker from Levin. "We as a country have achieved something very significant- it would be terrible to lose it," he said. The group finance their trip by selling stickers, badges, tee-shirts and home-made crafts, as well

as the donations they receive from well wishers. The marchers have covered hundreds of kilometres on foot, some walking all day every day between centres. They have camped in church halls, schools and public shelters, or been billeted by peace groups along the way. One of the marchers is renowned American peace walker Paul Zigler. Some of the group left their jobs to take part in the march while a lot of people have joined up with the main body of marchers at intervals. The group carry banners emblazoned with the 'Ban the Bomb' symbol and cont'd onp. 14

Hiroshima Day

cont'd from p. 1 hand out pamphlets in their campaign for nuclear disarmament. While in the Waimarino they visited local schools and spoke at a public meeting held in Raetihi last week. In remembrance of Hiroshima Day an enormous banner was hung on the Makatote Viaduct and a dawn ceremony held. The marchers presented a Kowhai tree, a symbol of hope for the future to the The small tree planting ceremony was attended by a number of children from Ohakune Primary School.