70 Years — Never Again!
August 5-9, 2015
A Call to People of Faith to Observe
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Week
Sign on to this Call: bit.ly/sign-faith-call
70 years after the United States atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and 45 years after the entry into force of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the 9 nuclear weapons states have not acted on their solemn commitment to enter into serious negotiations to abolish nuclear weapons.
We call on congregations, denominations and all people of faith who care about the future of humanity to organize events across Massachusetts on or about August 5-9 to call attention to the people’s demand for nuclear disarmament.
Massachusetts Peace Action will organize a procession and outdoor commemoration in the Copley Square, Boston area on the afternoon of August 6. Other peace groups will do likewise in their communities. University Lutheran Church will vigil on the steps of their church at 7pm each night through August 5. The United Methodist New England Annual Conference in June will consider a resolution calling for abolition of nuclear weapons.
Congregations and people of faith can also take the following actions, and they can notify us of what they plan to do by signing onto this statement: bit.ly/sign-faith-call
– Ring church bells at 7:16pm on August 5, 2015 – which will be 8:16 am on August 6 in Hiroshima, the time the atomic bomb exploded
– Make and display a banner with a message such as “Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Pray for Peace” or “No More Hiroshimas; Pray for Peace”
– Organize an event such as a speaker or film
– Join the University Lutheran vigil, or create a vigil of your own!
– Participate in the Copley Square event
– Arrange for or give a sermon on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and/or nuclear weapons abolition
– Circulate the Peace Action petition to President Obama among your congregation: bit.ly/peoples-call
– Create a nuclear weapons abolition resolution in your denomination or faith organization
– Talk about the issue and the events on social media
The next faith-based meeting: Tuesday, July 29, 10:00 am at University Lutheran Church, 66 Winthrop St., Cambridge.
Sign on to this call at bit.ly/sign-faith-call and provide information on how you and your group will take action. Massachusetts Peace Action will publish a calendar of actions and events across the state so that all people who seek a safe and peaceful world will know that they are not alone!
Join us! Contact 617-354-2169 or info@masspeaceaction.org.