User:Dogfire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 initiate a blockade flotilla of visiting US naval craft. They invited local boating clubs to join them in making a 'Peace Squadron,' and the movement became popular and effective within a few years. (View the difference between the return visits to the capital city of Wellington of the USS Truxton in 1980 when it was greeted belatedly by three protest craft, and 1982 when it was effectively surrounded.)

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. 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 live actively in his faith.