"It was a 'terrifying' experience running out onto the field that day. I decided to accompany my father in law (who was demonstrating on behalf of H.A.R.T), and help protest against the tour. It was an opportunity to be involved in something which would make a difference to a country exposed to numerous problems surrounding Human rights. Obviously, the fans at the Hamilton game thought otherwise.
They were 'out of control' from the moment we stepped out onto the field !! They hurled objects at us, and it was very clear that they were more than just furious with us interfering. I remember seeing a man beside me get hit by what looked like a boot, obtaining a nasty gash to the side of his neck. Fans tried climbing onto the pitch in retaliation. Even the police looked vulnerable as they spread around the whole ground to 'control' the situation from escalating.
It was barbaric in the sense that people were resorting to violence as a method to settle their differences in values and beliefs.
I personally hold the Anti-Racisism groups, who were involved, in high regard for what they did during the Hamilton game on July 25 1981. As Nelson Mandela said during a News interview, the campaigning which took place and eventually lead to the cancellation of the Springboks-Waikato match, was 'as if the sun had come out' for South Africa. The more Kiwi's got involved with opposing the tour and encouraging matches and various other events to be called off, the stronger a message New Zealand was able to voice to South Africa."
No comments:
Post a Comment