New This Week (August 7, 2017)

August 6: Commemoration of US Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima

Three developments/resources of importance to the global nuclear ban movement:

(1) Japan Calls For Denuclearized World On 72nd Anniversary Of Hiroshima

(2) PNND Japan President Taro Kono appointed as the new Foreign Minister of Japan

(3) NYRB August 17: "Nuclear Diplomacy: From Iran to North Korea?" by Jessica T. Matthews


To be continued . . . .

New This Week (July 18, 2017)

South Korea's new leader: Moon Jae-in
(Image: NY Daily News)

Several months ago, I wrote suggesting that there will be a breakthrough in the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula under the new president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in. (See #Nuclearban Game-Changer: South Korea? and Korea: A History of Living Under Nuclear Terror.)

Today, The New York Times reported that South Korea wants to enter into negotiations with North Korea, breaking from the confrontational approach of the US in dealing with North Korea's nuclear program. (See "South Korea Proposes Military Talks With North at Their Border.")

*     *     *

There are now forty (40) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And nine (9) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of July and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 

New This Week (July 10, 2017)

7-7-17
A historic day of liberation for the world;
a historic day of shame for US citizens, because their country tried to stop #nuclearban
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

On Friday at the United Nations, 122 nations voted on final language on the "Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons" (#nuclearban). The treaty will be open for signature when the General Assembly reconvenes September 20 in New York; all signs point to rapidly reaching the threshold that will cause the treaty to go into effect. The treaty enters into force 90 days after 50 signatures are reached. That means that on or about January 1, 2018, the world will very likely have a treaty in force outlawing nuclear weapons.

The United States has opposed the entire nuclear ban process. (Their response to the treaty announcement was to join the UK and France in saying, "We do not intend to sign, ratify, or every become party to it." - see "A Treaty Is Reached to Ban Nuclear Arms. Now Comes the Hard Part," by Rick Gladstone in The New York Times.)

Of course, the US is bound by treaty to strive toward complete nuclear disarmament -- eventually. I'm referring, of course, to its Article VI obligations under the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) (See A DEAL'S A DEAL! (What part of "nuclear disarmament" doesn't the US understand?) )

So the question is not if, but when. And the nuclear ban treaty seems to point to a much earlier date for achieving complete nuclear disarmament.

There is so much courageous work by people all around the world to bring about #nuclearban. People in the holdout countries like the US could be forgiven for feeling frustration and shame that their governments are clinging stubbornly to the wrong side of history. The #nuclearban treaty looks like it will sail into force while the US continues its bizarre journey into irrelevance in this and other aspects of global affairs. (viz. climate - e.g. "World Leaders Move Forward on Climate Change, Without U.S.")

Fine. The US is going to stamp its feet and hold its breath. Just one question: do we have to burn through $1 trillion while we're doing it? (See "Why a $1 trillion endeavor to modernize the US nuclear arsenal could get more bipartisan support") There is a massive nuclear weapons modernization program underway in the US, and you've gotta ask, "Is that a good investment as we head into a world in which nuclear weapons are outlawed?"

For our democratically-elected representatives, the calculus has got to be pretty simple, "People are really not happy that we can't agree on a way to come up with the money to make sure everyone will have health care. One trillion dollars -- trillion with a "T" -- maybe we'd better start acting like we're not throwing money down the drain . . . . "

Luckily, there are already a group of senators on the case. In March, 13 US senators wrote, "While we appreciate the work of the Defense Science Board, we strongly disagree with the wisdom or need to develop new nuclear weapons or resume nuclear testing. For 71 years the United States has led the world in opposition to the use of nuclear weapons, leadership that would be called into question should the United States develop new, so-called low-yield nuclear weapons. As you prepare to lead the Trump administration’s review of U.S. nuclear policy and posture, we urge you not to act on the Board's recommendations." (See "Senators Reject Call for New Nuclear Weapons, Ending Nuclear Testing Ban," March 14, 2017, signed by Senators Dianne Feinstein, Edward J. Markey, Richard J. Durbin, Patrick Leahy, Ron Wyden, Sherrod Brown, Al Franken, Tammy Baldwin, Jeffrey Merkley, Bernard Sanders, Brian Schatz, Chris Van Hollen, and Kamala D. Harris.)

#nuclearban: If the world is now OUTLAWING #nuclearweapons,
how is a $1 TRILLION development program a good idea?
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Let's pick up where we left off and start exercising Congressional power over the sky's-the-limit nuclear weapons spending of the US government.


RELATED UPDATE - JULY 12 -  There are now thirty-nine (39) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And nine (9) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of July and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 

New This Week (June 26, 2017)

100+ countries are negotiating a global ban on nuclear weapons right now at the UN, and you can watch it happen.

You can read the updated draft of the #nuclearban treaty, hot off the press; and follow the next steps via live-tweeting at #nuclearban on Twitter.

How mainstream is the global #nuclearban treaty effort? The International Committee of the Red Cross has stepped forward to say: everyone needs to confront the real truth about nuclear weapons and implement a ban now.  (Click the image below to see their video.)

"From the 1st second, to 70 years on: here’s what could happen
to you and your city if a nuclear bomb is dropped. #nuclearban"
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

How widespread is the global #nuclearban treaty effort? I've spent recent months encouraging people to delve into the stories of the many countries that are leading the ban effort -- countries ranging from Indonesia to New Zealand to Mexico and many more.

SO GRATEFUL for 100+ countries making the #nuclearban happen at @UN!
http://joescarry.blogspot.com/2017/04/133-is-lot-of-nuclearban-supporting.html
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

How fast is the global #nuclearban treaty effort growing? Just two cool examples from the last couple of days:

More and more prominent cultural figures support the ban. I had always hoped that the great Chinese artist and activist and social media user Ai Weiwei would help promote #nuclearban. Now . . .  check THIS out:

"Ai Weiwei, renowned artist, lends support to ban"
(See Ai Weiwei's video message on the International
Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) website.)

And at Sunday's PRIDE parade in NYC . . .  THIS:

@IQAN - International Queers Against Nukes
"We're here! We're queer! Ban the bomb, don't live in fear!"
#pride2017 #nuclearban #disarmhate
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

The picture is emerging clearly: #nuclearban is unstoppable . . . .


More to come . . . . 


 . . .  AND . . . in the US . . . there are now thirty-eight (38) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And eight (8) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of June and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 

New This Week (June 19, 2017)

Today was a good day for the planet and everyone on it.
Thanks to all who are working on the #nuclearban at the @UN!
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

June 15 saw the resumption of talks on a global treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons at the United Nations, and they continue this week. You can follow the progress minute-to-minute at the #nuclearban hashtag. The negotiations appear to be on track for completion as scheduled by July 7.

The treaty is the work of 100+ countries that are determined to outlaw nuclear weapons. The effort is supported by activists throughout the world -- in the countries leading the push for treaty talks, in the other countries lending their strong support, and also in the countries that are opposing the ban effort.

It seems extremely likely that the world will, in fact, have a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons very soon -- with participation from the outset of a very large number of countries. That, in turn, will open up enormous opportunity for activists to help persuade every country to accede to the treaty and honor it.

SO GRATEFUL for 100+ countries making the #nuclearban happen at @UN!
http://joescarry.blogspot.com/2017/04/133-is-lot-of-nuclearban-supporting.html
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

To me, the enormous significance of the #nuclearban is this: global rules are no longer going to be dictated by a small number of countries -- those with the most money, the most weapons, who "know better," who have appointed themselves the "leaders" and "policemen" of everyone else. With this treaty and other efforts like it -- on climate, for instance -- the majority of people in the world -- the people who for decades have been saying "we want a nuclear weapons free world" -- are going to be the ones leading the way.

Think about it: how will you participate in this new reality?

Rest of @UN is banning #nuclearweapons today
and THIS is the picture of US "leadership" we have to look at. Sad!
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

 . . .  AND . . . in the US . . . there are now thirty-seven (37) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And eight (8) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of June and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 

New This Week (June 12, 2017)

June 17 - "Ban the Bomb" demonstrations throughout Australia

Thursday, June 15: negotiations on a global ban on nuclear weapons (#nuclearban) resume at the United Nations in New York City.

Saturday, June 17: marches in NYC, throughout Australia, and in other locations in support of #nuclearban.

Please share these memes on social media to help emphasize the global extent of the coming #nuclearban treaty: 133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries.

SO GRATEFUL for 100+ countries making the #nuclearban happen at @UN!
http://joescarry.blogspot.com/2017/04/133-is-lot-of-nuclearban-supporting.html
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

 . . .  AND . . . in the US . . . there are now thirty-seven (37) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And eight (8) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of June and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 

New This Week (June 5, 2017)

IMAGINE ... taking a moment each day to say "thank you" to one of the 100+
countries supporting the #nuclearban ... http://bit.ly/2rNrWO9 … Please RT

With just 10 days until the #nuclearban treaty talks resume at the UN, there's just one question on my mind: can we encourage a GLOBAL movement of support on social media for this effort? (More here and here.)

*    *     *

There are now thirty-six (36) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And seven (7) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of June and through the summer?

Update June 6: Eighth co-sponsor joined on the Senate bill: Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Update June 9: Thirty-seventh co-sponsor joined on the House bill: Rep. Nydia Velazquez of NY.

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

New This Week (May 29, 2017)

In just 2+ weeks ... the #nuclearban talks resume at @UN!
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Wow! The draft treaty has been circulated and the parties return to NYC to get the #nuclearban treaty nailed down in just over two weeks!

I continue to lift up the MANY countries that are committed to making the treaty succeed -- and you can help: 133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries.

It's important for people to remember: this nuclear weapons ban effort is being led by countries all over the world -- notably NOT by the United States. Countries in Latin America, in the Middle East, among the Commonwealth countries, in  Central Asia and the Pacific, too.

There are key leaders and supporters in Europe, too. And despite the pressure the US has put on most of the European countries to oppose the ban, the winds seem to be shifting there. That's right: there's hope for growing support for the nuclear ban in Europe, too.

And that's a good thing.

Thank you #AUSTRIA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

In other news . . .  Support continues to grow: There are now thirty-five (35) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And seven (7) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of May, throughout June, and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

New This Week (May 22, 2017)

Thank you #KAZAKHSTAN.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

I've encouraged people to give attention to GLOBAL support for a ban on nuclear weapons -- in Latin America, in the Middle East, in the Commonwealth countries . . . .

This week I start to lift up support from the countries of Central Asia and the Pacific, too.

Please help me get the word out by sharing these messages on social media: 133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries.

*     *     *

Last week, Nick Kristof asked, "What if the president becomes unstable?" and emphasized the risk posed by Trump's sole authority to use nuclear weapons.

Now that Donald Trump is out of the country, might it not be a good time to take his authority to conduct a nuclear first strike away from him?

Global Zero (and allied organizations) have delivered 500,000 signatures to Congress suggesting just that: (Watch the video with a phenomenal 35000 views and 1100+ shares: "We're joining our allies to tell Congress that Trump or any successor must not be allowed to start a nuclear war on a whim." ) The Hill reported: "Lawmakers back push to curtail Trump’s nuclear strike ability."

Congressional supporters of bill to restrict presidential use of nuclear weapons.

There are now thirty-four (34) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And seven (7) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in the rest of May, throughout June, and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

New This Week (May 15, 2017)

South Korea got a new president last week.

The first thing I did was wonder: will South Korea join negotiations on a global nuclear ban when they resume in New York at the United Nations on June 15?

The second thing I did was go back and study the history of Korea. What I read convinced me Korea could be a game-changer.

Thank you #PANAMA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

And it's not just Korea.

A handful of nuclear weapons states have dug their heels in and are doing everything possible to prevent a global ban on nuclear weapons. But that's not the whole story . . . .

The much larger truth is that the vast majority of countries are committed to banning nuclear weapons. It's time for us to focus our energy on supporting their efforts.

Please help me get the word out by sharing these messages on social media: 133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries.

Ban the Bomb - from A to Z!
#nuclearban
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

AND . . . just one month until the #nuclearban march June 17 in NYC -- to coincide with the three week UN session to negotiate a global ban on nuclear weapons!

*     *     *

Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey last week, invoking memories of Richard Nixon ordering the firing of Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox (the "Saturday Night Massacre").

Let's face it: eventually Trump is going to go too far, and even the Republicans in Congress are going to realize he needs to be tied down.

Meanwhile, there are now thirty-three (33) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And seven (7) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Will support continue to grow in May, June, and through the summer?

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

New This Week (May 8, 2017)

Thank you #JAMAICA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Summer is coming!

And that means the #nuclearban negotiations at the UN are coming!

Please help spread the word by sharing the memes on these pages:

133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries

Tlatelolco 50: A Gift to the World

The Road to the Commonwealth Games Passes Through #Nuclearban Territory

(Most of) The Mideast Wants a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World

June 17 - March to Ban the Bomb #Nuclearban

*     *     * 

There are now thirty-two (32) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And five (5) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.)

Update May 9 -- make that seven (7) Senate co-sponsors - now including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ron Wyden!

Update May 12 -- make that thirty-three (33) House co-sponsors - now including Rep. Dwight Evans!

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list! 



Please share this post . . . .

New This Week (May 1, 2017)

I have two hopes for this week:

Thank you #EGYPT.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

First, I hope I can make a lot of progress on lifting up the names of ALL the countries supporting the UN negotiations at the UN. (There's strength in numbers!)

You can help me by sharing the memes on these pages:

133 Is a Lot of #Nuclearban-Supporting Countries

Tlatelolco 50: A Gift to the World

The Road to the Commonwealth Games Passes Through #Nuclearban Territory

(Most of) The Mideast Wants a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World


Second, I want to get as many people as possible involved in the march that -- coming up in just six weeks in New York City, on June 17! -- when the global nuclear ban negotiating session.

Ban the Bomb - from A to Z!
#nuclearban
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

You can help by sharing all these memes, and by supporting womenbanthebomb.org.


And an update . . . May 2: There are now thirty (30) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And four (4) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.)

Update May 3: make that 5 senators!

Update May 4: make that 32 representatives!

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

THANK YOU @usrepricknolan for cosponsoring
bill to rein in #Trump's use of #nuclearweapons! 
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Thank you!

New This Week (April 24, 2017)

I continue to be astounded about how widespread the support is for the UN negotiations on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons worldwide.

Expo 67 artwork

As I read about country after country after country that supports the ban, it reminds me of an experience from my childhood - visiting the pavilions of country after country after country at Expo 67 in Montreal.

A big focus of Expo 67 was "Man and his World." It was a moment when people were very much aware of how the human species had come to dominate the planet -- and each other -- and there were the beginnings of a call for balance.

This summer will be the 50th anniversary of Expo. I'm looking forward to going back and thinking about how the seeds of the work we are doing today on issues like climate, nuclear weapons, development, and others were planted way back then.

*   *   *

There are now twenty-seven (27) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And four (4) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.)

Update April 26: Wow! Two more co-sponsors in the last day - we're now at twenty-nine (29) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons.

Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

New This Week (April 17, 2017)

Thank you #NAMIBIA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

For the past several weeks, I've taking a little time every day to lift up the efforts of one of them countries actively pursuing a nuclear weapons ban at the UN. At this rate, I still won't be done thanking the 100+ #nuclearban-supporting countries when the formal negotiations resume June 15 in New York City.

My small effort has helped me grasp how momentous it is that all the "other" countries in the world are now standing up to the nuclear weapons states and saying, "It's time for some democracy. It's time to listen to the vast majority. Get rid of the nuclear weapons -- NOW!"

The nuclear ban is on the horizon.

It's time for the activist community to start thinking about what will be required to make the current nuclear weapons states -- the rogue states -- comply.

*    *    *

Speaking of things happening on a worldwide scale, on Saturday, April 22, there will be March for Science events in cities worldwide.

To date, the Open Letter from Scientists in Support of the UN Nuclear Weapons Negotiations has been signed by over three thousand (3,000) prominent scientists.

Can we turn the clock back? Could we lose more time?
(Please share this post from @ScienceMarchCHI.)

How many of the March for Science events will lift up the urgent message from scientists that nuclear weapons must be banned?

New This Week (April 10, 2017)

Me in front of the Matisse at LACMA. (Photo: Alanna Huck-Scarry)

I was in Los Angeles this past week (see photo above). It was eerie to be spending time with the people who represent the future for me -- my children and my new granddaughter -- at the same time that Donald Trump was discovering a sad old truth: if a US president wants to be popular, all he has to do is start a war.

During my visit, my son asked me what I will be working on in the weeks ahead. I told him about the global effort to institute a ban on nuclear weapons -- #nuclearban.

Look: there's no question that the United States and countries like it have the power of violence on their side . . .

Let's get real . . . .
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

But the whole world is waking up . . . and the whole world has power to bring to bear on the problem of nuclear weapons that, I believe, is about to overwhelm the effort by the nuclear weapons powers to dig their heels in and hold on to their nuclear weapons forever.

Activists worldwide . . .

UPDATE APRIL 13: There are now twenty-six (26) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And four (4) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!


. . .  and . . . SAVE THE DATE! June 17 in New York City . . . .
 

There's a #nuclearban on the horizon: let's take it to the streets!
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

(Did I call it or what? See It's Time. (For a Demonstration Against Nukes.) (A YUGE One!) )

New This Week (April 3, 2017)

Reasons to support the UN?
Exhibit #1: #nuclearban
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Negotiations on a global nuclear weapons ban began successfully last week, and here's what I'm thinking about now:


Global Peace Movement: 100+ nations participated in the #nuclearban talks. That means that this peace initiative is distributed throughout the world, and not just dependent on what a few countries like the US and its allies say. See:

     The Road to the Commonwealth Games Passes Through #Nuclearban Territory

Want to know more about the global dimensions of the #nuclearban effort? See Network Power and the Movement to Ban Nuclear Weapons.


US Nuclear Disarmament: Without a doubt, the US government is feeling the pressure of the UN negotiations. (See USA: Bringing a Trumpian Posture to the Nuclear Ban Talks. (Bankruptcy.))

In addition to the #nuclearban negotiations taking place in the UN, there is growing pressure in the US Congress to rein in nuclear weapons. There are now twenty-five (25) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And four (4) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!


April 6 US Attack on Syria: Must read - Glenn Greenwald, "The Spoils of War: Trump Lavished With Media and Bipartisan Praise For Bombing Syria".

Follow @antiwarcom for updates.

New This Week (March 27, 2017)

Negotiations on a global nuclear weapons ban begin!
(Please share this message on Twitter!)

Negotiations on a global nuclear weapons ban begin this week at the United Nations.

People EVERYWHERE are talking about the #nuclearban. (See below.)

I've just published a page with memes to share about the US efforts to stop this historic development.

Here are some more memes to share about WHY so many countries are supporting the nuclear ban:

Vote on resolution to negotiate a ban on nuclear weapons in 2017 (L-41)
Green - Yes (123, 76%)
Red - No (38, 24%)
Beige - Abstained
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Japan to Address UN on Nukes. (USA a No-Show?)
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

The nuclear weapons era - and the significance of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Iran supports #nuclearban. USA doesn't. (Huh?)
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

#nuclearban
 . . . before our luck runs out!
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Three in four Australians think the government should support the UN
negotiations to prohibit nuclear weapons. Only one in ten thinks it shouldn't.
(Ipsos Poll, March 2017)
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Outrageous Canada is boycotting nuclear weapons ban talks #cdnpoli
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Hiroshima survivors UK tour 2017 - "Support the global nuclear ban"
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

Please follow and engage with these activists
working to permanently ban #nuclearweapons
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

They're talking about the #nuclearban in AUSTRALIA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

They're talking about the #nuclearban in ENGLAND.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

They're talking about the #nuclearban in GERMANY.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

They're talking about the #nuclearban in ROMANIA.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

They're talking about the #nuclearban in NEW YORK CITY.
(Please share this message on Twitter.)

New This Week (March 20, 2017)

Happy Nowruz! The big question in 2017: will the "new day" celebrated in numerous countries in Central Asia mean a new day for the world when it comes to nuclear weapons . . . ?

Negotiations on a global nuclear weapons ban begin at the UN in one week. The vast majority of the world's countries will be at the table. Conspicuously missing, it seems, will be the countries like the US and its NATO allies, and Russia.

The nuclear weapons states have an obligation under Article VI of the NPT to negotiate disarmament. When do they plan to honor their treaty obligations? (See: A DEAL'S A DEAL! (What part of "nuclear disarmament" doesn't the US understand?) .)

The #nuclearweapons states scheduling the
implementation of their Article VI obligations ...
(Please share this message on Twitter!)

Despite news that China will not attend the negotiations beginning March 27, I argue: China DOES Have a Role in the Nuclear Ban Movement.

*   *   * 

I just saw this story:

Hiroshima A-bomb survivor to address U.N. nuke ban treaty conference
(Please share this message on Twitter!)

The US refuses to attend the UN nuclear ban talks. But the story of the US and its nuclear weapons will not go untold ....

*   *   *

NEW: Rally and march on Saturday, June 17th 2017 in New York City and around the world in support of negotiations taking place at the United Nations for a treaty banning nuclear weapons. See Call to Action: Women's March and Rally to Ban the Bomb.

OPPORTUNITY: Amplify Network 2017 Youth Summit from 17 – 21 June 2017 in New York, USA -- working for a world without nuclear weapons. Deadline is April 3 - significant underwriting provided to participants!


Trump and Nuclear Weapons: There are now twenty-two (22) co-sponsors on Rep. Ted Lieu's House bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. (And three (3) co-sponsors on the corresponding bill in the Senate sponsored by Ed Markey.) Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!

 ... Update March 22: now twenty-three (23) co-sponsors ... !

Call Congress! Support HR669/S200
(Please share this message on Twitter!)

Social media effectiveness tip of the week: Add images (like the "meme" above) to your tweets to really get your message across!

(More on social media effectiveness . . . . )