On this day July 10, 1985, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was bombed and sunk while docked in Auckland, New Zealand. The explosion killed Dutch photographer Fernando Pereira and shocked the world. It was later revealed that agents from the French intelligence service carried out the attack in an attempt to prevent Greenpeace from protesting France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
The incident drew widespread international outrage and brought intense scrutiny to the actions of the French government. Instead of silencing Greenpeace, the bombing strengthened the organization's visibility and global support. France eventually admitted responsibility, and two agents were convicted in New Zealand before being transferred back to France under diplomatic pressure.
80s insight: The Rainbow Warrior attack showed how far some governments would go to suppress activism, and how those actions could backfire on the world stage.
The incident drew widespread international outrage and brought intense scrutiny to the actions of the French government. Instead of silencing Greenpeace, the bombing strengthened the organization's visibility and global support. France eventually admitted responsibility, and two agents were convicted in New Zealand before being transferred back to France under diplomatic pressure.
80s insight: The Rainbow Warrior attack showed how far some governments would go to suppress activism, and how those actions could backfire on the world stage.
