ABSTRACT
The peace movement in the United States is a protean creature; it changes its size, shape and coloration according to the particular issue it addresses and the political climate of the time. The opportunity to see the United States peace movement in full array was the rally that gathered in New York’s Central Park on 12 June 1982 to protest against the nuclear arms build-up. As anyone who saw the rally had the opportunity to observe, the diversity of the participants extended beyond their organizational affiliation, for their banners showed that they came from almost every region, class and ethnic group in the United States. A combined description and analysis of that event will tell a great deal about the peace movement in the United States. The banners and the addresses revealed the presence of groups with the widest array of affiliations; religious, political, professional and miscellaneous.
