As we approach the 75th anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, let us be aware that today, nearly 14,000 nuclear weapons, most an order of magnitude more powerful than the bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, continue to pose an intolerable threat to humanity, and the dangers of wars among nuclear-armed states are growing. The U.S. is poised to spend nearly 2 trillion dollars over the next 3 decades to maintain and upgrade its nuclear arsenal. All the nuclear-armed states are engaged in nuclear weapons “modernization” programs. And an alarming, but often overlooked trend is the increased scale and tempo of war games by nuclear-armed States and their allies, including nuclear drills. Ongoing missile tests, and frequent close encounters between military forces of nuclear-armed states including the U.S. and Russia, the U.S. and China, and India and Pakistan exacerbate nuclear dangers. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the hands of its iconic “Doomsday Clock” to 100 seconds to midnight – the closest it’s ever been – citing the twin existential threats of nuclear war and climate change.
Act Now!
75 years after the first nuclear weapons were used, the weapons are #still here. So are the survivors (hibakusha). United for Peace & Justice is pleased to be among more than 160 organizations that have come together specifically to honor nuclear survivors as we acknowledge that in the 75th year of the nuclear age, survivors and the weapons are still here. As the only country to use nuclear weapons in conflict, the United States has a moral obligation to lead the world in ending this menace and restoring communities impacted by nuclear weapons. Click here to see the full list of organizations. Your organization is invited to become a partner here.
National Virtual Event August 6th and 9th. This coalition will host a national virtual event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings, all day Thursday August 6th and Sunday August 9th. This virtual gathering will shine a spotlight on local events nationwide and highlight the stories of survivors, looking toward the future of a world free from nuclear threat while amplifying the voices of activists, experts and directly impacted communities. This two-day event will feature live and pre-recorded segments. Sign up here to receive event updates. You can also join an on-line or in-person event near you.
Sign the Hibakusha Appeal. Survivors of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki invite you to support them by signing this global petition. More than 10 million signatures have already been collected! Add your name now!
Demand U.S. Federal Lawmakers pledge for global nuclear disarmament for the 75th anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Sign the petition here.
.Join the global Peace Wave. From August 6 at 8:15am, the time that the nuclear bomb was detonated over Hiroshima, until August 9 at 11:02am, the time the nuclear bomb was detonated over Nagasaki, peace activists around the world will undertake individual and/or group actions as part of a ‘Peace Wave’. You can join the peace wave by undertaking your own small, creative, social media action from home or interesting location, or joining an action in your community. For more information and to register your action, please visit Peace Wave 2020.
Nuclear Remembrance days: 75th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings. UFPJ has recently joined the Abolition 2000 Global Network to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons as an affiliated network. Click here for Abolition 2000’s compilation of international events.
