July 1, 2016
By Scilla Wahrhaftig
As we approach the 71st anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshisma and Nagasaki, Remembering Hiroshima, Imagining Peace will be recognizing the dropping of the first nuclear bombs with a series of events. This year we will be focusing not only on the threat of nuclear weapons and the billions the US is spending to upgrade our arsenal but also on the concerns about nuclear power and the potential disaster that can occur when events like the earthquake in Japan happen.
On August 1st City Council will be issuing a proclamation calling for a reduction in spending on nuclear weapons and a redirection of spending toward human needs, while at the same time calling for a move away from nuclear power and toward renewable energy. We are also negotiating with the city to display our very powerful series of posters, “Strange Beauty” by photojournalist Takashi Morizumi, showing familiar objects from Fukushima that were contaminated by radioactive particles after the earthquake and meltdown of the nuclear reactor.
On August 5th we plan to conduct with Pittsburgh Filmmakers our annual film showing and skyping with peace activists in Japan and Guam. It was especially meaningful to have activists from Guam skyping with us last year and to hear their courageous stand to save their country from being taken over by the US military.
August 6th will be our second annual Bike Around the Bomb, starting from the tent at Schenley Plaza and biking approximately 20km, which is the circumference of the immediate impact area of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are of course a fraction of the power of our present day nuclear weapons. Last year around 30 people completed the ride and we are hoping for an even better turnout this year.
Please visit our website for updated information on these events and also on our fall series of talks and exhibits: https://rememberinghiroshima.org/.
Scilla Wahrhaftig is a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and of Remembering Hiroshima/Imagining Peace.
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