Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp: A Feminist Protest Against Nuclear Weapons
The Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp was one of the most significant feminist and anti-nuclear movements of the 20th century. Beginning in 1981, it brought thousands of women together to protest the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles at RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire, England. The movement stood not only against nuclear proliferation but also against militarism and patriarchal structures in society.
Origins of the Protest
The peace camp began when a group of women from Wales, calling themselves “Women for Life on Earth,” marched over 100 miles to Greenham Common to oppose the planned stationing of 96 American cruise missiles. After the march, several women set up camp outside the base — beginning what would become a permanent protest that lasted for nearly two decades.
Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Peace camp established at Greenham Common |
| 1983 | “Embrace the Base” protest with over 30,000 women linking arms around the fence |
| 1984 | Mass arrests and evictions by police; women return to rebuild |
| 1991 | Cruise missiles removed from the base |
| 2000 | Final closure of the camp site |
Women-Only Space and Feminist Identity
One of the most distinctive features of the Greenham protest was its women-only policy. Organizers believed that traditional peace movements often marginalized women’s voices. By excluding men, the camp created a space where women could lead and organize autonomously. This feminist approach brought attention to the link between militarism and patriarchy and emphasized nonviolent resistance, care, and community.
Forms of Protest
The women at Greenham employed creative and symbolic forms of protest: chaining themselves to fences, dancing on missile silos, cutting through wire, and organizing mass candlelight vigils. Their actions often drew media attention and challenged authorities’ perceptions of what protest should look like.
Impact and Legacy
Though often dismissed by officials and sometimes ridiculed in the press, the Greenham Common women influenced public opinion, helped shape nuclear disarmament debates, and inspired future activist movements. The camp is remembered not just as a protest site, but as a model for decentralized, sustained, and women-led activism.
Conclusion
The Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp stands as a powerful example of peaceful resistance, grassroots feminism, and the enduring fight against nuclear weapons. Its legacy continues to influence social justice movements around the world, reminding us that persistence, solidarity, and imagination can reshape even the most entrenched power structures.
