“Peacenik” is a word which will only resonate with a few, but Larry Ross’s work for the anti-nuclear movement resonated far and wide.
Born in 1927, Larry Ross died last week at the age of 84. He founded the NZ Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Committee in 1981. His work at local government level saw the establishment of 105 nuclear free zones across New Zealand. That work was pivotal in building an anti-nuclear movement which culminated in New Zealand’s nuclear-free status enshrined in the Nuclear Free Zone Act of 1987.
Larry’s contribution to the peace movement in New Zealand was extraordinary. His commitment to a nuclear-free world was absolute and he achieved more than one person could ever expect to achieve, by galvanising neighbourhood peace groups and working from the ground up to build a robust and effective anti-nuclear peace movement, expressed locally and globally.
Rest in that peace you worked so hard for Larry. The NZ Labour Party salutes you and your years of commitment. Our thought and condolences go to Larry’s family and loved ones.
Beautiful post Maryan. I also want to give my condolences to his friends and family.
Thanks, Maryan, for an accurate and special post. Larry was and will remain an inspiration for his solid unassumng work for peace, which had such far reaching impact. The Scots are attracted to that style of building a campaign across all the small towns and communities.
Thank you, Larry.
A courageous man who was not afraid of speaking the truth often at cost to his personal prospects.
Larry held concern for humankind.
His simplicity of clear reason gave heart and hope to many, helping to lead the world by example set here in NZ.
Thank you all for your tributes; its a speckled life being the daughter of a Peace activist, the gift of that parental line is subtle and deep, if not necessarily practical. It is certainly hard to imagine life without that larger than life person in it, that Larry was. Christchurch is certainly synonymous with Larry, as he lived there for 50 years, since we arrived from Canada in 1962. He especially loved the beaches there and had many friends in that city too. Whenever I visit Christchurch, I am close to my father.