George Armstrong (priest)
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George Armstrong is an Anglican priest from New Zealand. Both practising and preaching 'liberation theology' throughout his life work, he essentially spearheaded the national popular movement to blockade nuclear powered (and potentially nuclear armed) US warships from local harbours by suggesting his seminary students and he initiated a blockade flotilla against visiting US naval craft.[citation needed] They invited local boating clubs to join them in making a 'Peace Squadron,' and the movement became popular and effective within a few years. For example, when the USS Truxton visited Wellington in 1980 it was greeted belatedly by three protest craft, but in 1982 it was effectively surrounded.[1]
Armstrong was also part of the occupation of Hamilton rugby ground at the start of the infamous televised confrontation between the newly formed riot police squad and anti-1980 Springbok rugby tour protesters.[citation needed] He was filmed standing out from the group of protesters when they were surrounded on the rugby field by riot police and angry rugby fans. He approached the helmeted line of riot police, addressing them individually.
Now aged over 70, he continues to be actively involved.[2]
