Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament


The Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament, Inc. was a cross-country event in 1986 aimed at raising awareness to the growing danger of nuclear proliferation and to advocate for complete, verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons from the earth. The GPM consisted of hundreds of people, mostly but not exclusively Americans, who convened in Los Angeles, California, United States, in February 1986 to walk from L.A. to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The group left Los Angeles on March 1, 1986 and arrived in Washington, D.C. on November 15, 1986, a journey of about 3,700 miles, nine months, and many campsites.

Organization

The March was conceived by Los Angeles businessman David Mixner, who formed People Reaching Out for Peace, a non-profit organization. Due to bankruptcy, PRO-Peace folded while the March was in Barstow, California. A few weeks of round-the-clock meetings followed to assess resources, reorganize, and to form a grassroots, self-governed organization. Once reorganized, the March continued its eastward trek. Participants in the march included bookseller John Windle and Lily S. Cree, environmental activist.

Peace marches before and after

Film

The Great March for Climate Action in 2014 was inspired in part by its founder Ed Fallon's experience with the 1986 Great Peace March.

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