Stop work to stop the war. Vietnam moratorium. U.S. and us out

This poster was created in 1970 as part of the Vietnam Moratorium movement in Australia that was at its peak from 1969-1971. The protests were largely organised by two groups in Australia: the Vietnam Moratorium Campaign (VMC), and the Congress for International Co-operation and Disarmament (CICD). The Moratoria were largely based off the American model, which had produced large protests on 15 October and 15 November 1969. The 8 May 1970 Moratorium in Australia came just four days after the Kent State Shootings in Ohio. At these protests to the Vietnam War, armed members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed protestors leaving 4 dead and 9 injured. Moratorium posters were usually printed in strong colours, often orange and blue or vibrant red and black.

This poster, specifically aimed at workers, calls for staff to cease work for the withdrawal of Australian and American troops from Vietnam. The text is set against a design that represents a red factory with black smoke billowing out from the long chimney. This particular poster was for the third moratorium on 18 September at the Treasury Gardens in Melbourne.