Post by the Scribe on Jul 21, 2021 9:04:27 GMT
historycollection.com/eight-largest-protests-modern-history-accomplished/7/
Anti-Nuclear March
In 1982 the largest protest in New York City history took place on the famous Great Lawn in Central Park. Dr. Randall Caroline Forsberg was the leader of a movement that would become known as the “Nuclear Freeze.” The Nuclear Freeze began right after the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. He began a large military buildup that had many afraid of a nuclear confrontation with the Soviets. The fear of a nuclear war had many willing to do whatever it took to show President Ronald Reagan and the world that the nuclear arms race needed to come to an end.
On June 12 1982 hundreds of thousands converged on Central Park for a March and Rally for Peace and Disarmament. 2,000 volunteers worked to bring the rally together and raise the estimated $700,000 that was needed to host the Rally. More than 2,000 buses were chartered to bring protesters to the event. A huge stage hosted the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. The peaceful rally was timed to mark the United National Special Session on Disarmament and rally organizers shouted through megaphones that there was no way the world could ignore them now.
It was the largest peaceful protest in the history of the United States and many believe that in some respects it did accomplish what it set out to do. While Ronald Reagan initially spoke out against the Nuclear Freeze movement, a close call with the Soviets and the massive crowd in New York City caused him to re-evaluate his position.
By his second term he not only toned down his nuclear rhetoric but he went beyond the goals and suggestions of the Nuclear Freeze. The accomplishment of their goals makes the anti-nuclear protest not only one of the largest in U.S. history but one of the most successful.
with Richard Norton
James Taylor / Linda Ronstadt
Rally For Nuclear Disarmament
waddywachtelinfo.com/RallyforNuclearDisarmament.html
June 12, 1982
Central Park, New York, NY
A rally against nuclear weapons draws 750,000 to New York City's Central Park. Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt and Gary "U.S." Bonds.
James Taylor's Band:
James Taylor -
Waddy Wachtel - Guitar, Background Vocals
Dan Dugmore - Guitar
Leland Sklar - Bass
Don Grolnick - Piano
Russ Kunkel - Drums
David Lasley - Backgroud Vocals
Arnold McCuller - - Backgroud Vocals
Set List:
That Lonesome Road
You've Got a Friend
Up On The Roof
Stand And Fight
It's Growing (with Chaka Khan)
Children's Cry (with John Hall)
I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine (with Linda Ronstadt)
Linda Ronstadt's Band:
Linda Ronstadt - Vocals
Waddy Wachtel - Guitar, Background Vocals
Dan Dugmore - Guitar
Danny Kortchmar - Guitar
Don Grolnick - Piano
Bob Glaub - Bass
Rick Marotta - Drums
Nicolette Larsen - Background Vocals
Rosemary Butler - Background Vocals
Set List:
Tumblin' Dice
Blue Bayou
Shoop Shoop Song
Desperado
Heatwave
Back in the U.S.A
