On 77th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing: 10+ Local Orgs Unite for Nuclear Abolition

Where: Fountain Square Evanston (1601 Sherman), with walk to Lagoon at Dawes Park
Who: Chicago area residents working for nuclear abolition
Today, a group of over 10 local organizations come together to highlight the very real dangers of a nuclear confrontation. Hear what is being done both locally and internationally to work for the passage of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
This year marks the 77th anniversary of the horrific atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th,1945 1945. Join with us for a powerful vigil honoring Sadako Sasaki and all hibakusha (“bomb-affected person”). Sadako, who died of leukemia as a result of the radiation exposure, took on a project folding 1,000 paper cranes, which by legend would earn a wish from the gods. Sadako’s story inspired a tradition that we still follow to this day which put a human face and worldwide attention to this crime against humanity.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists’ Doomsday Clock is now set at 100 seconds to midnight. With the vanishing of virtually all arms control agreements between Russia and the United States, coupled with the extremely unstable situation unfolding in Ukraine and the exacerbated tensions with China over Taiwan – the world is now perilously close to a nuclear mass casualty disaster that would forever alter the face of global society as we know it. The United States’ $1.7 trillion Nuclear Modernization Program makes it frighteningly clear that our government has no intention of mitigating this terrifying possibility.
“With increasing tensions in Ukraine and the Taiwan Strait, the imperative is more pressing than ever for the United States to lead on global nuclear disarmament. In the interest of all humanity, the US should sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons tomorrow, “ said Chicago Area Peace Action’s board president, David Borris.
The event will begin by sharing Sadako’s story. Other special features will include ceremonial bell-ringing, music by local artist Margaret Nelson, a walking meditation, and finally, moments of silence for all bomb-impacted people as 1,000 paper cranes are floated in a reflecting pool.

Organizational Sponsors – Buddhist Peace Fellowship (Chicago Chapter), Chicago Anti-War Coalition, Chicago Area Peace Action, Chicago Committee Against War & Racism, Codepink, Fellowship Of Reconciliation (Chicago), Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice, Neighbors for Peace (Chicago-Evanston), Nuclear Energy Information Service, Union of Concerned Scientists (Midwest), West Suburban Peace Coalition and World Beyond War