Thousands march against French nuclear testing in the Pacific - ABC International Development

On 14 June 1995, after a 4-year moratorium, newly-elected President Jacques Chirac announced that France would resume the testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific at Mururoa Atoll.

France’s stance resulted in a growing widespread opposition on an international level. On 3 September 1995, thousands of demonstrators from around the world attended an extraordinary march in Papeete, Tahiti, to protest France’s pending tests.

More than 90 politicians from 9 national governments, including 30 Australian politicians, united with Tahitians to call for an end to French nuclear testing. Tahitian independence leader Oscar Temaru led the march.

Greenpeace ships also attempted to block the pending testing, but were raided by French Commandos.

Note: Defying all the protests and widespread international sentiment, France went ahead and detonated a nuclear device at Muraroa atoll on 5 September 1995.