A Proclamation regarding the Anniversary of the First Nuclear War Crimes

H. Patricia Hynes08/06/2024

August 6 and 9: A Proclamation

Greenfield, Mass. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – As I write, five of nine governments with arsenals of nuclear weapons – capable of destroying life on our planet many times over – are engaged in war: the United States (in multiple wars and stoking one with China), Israel, Russia, and NATO members Britain and France in a proxy war with Russia. For decades now, respected nuclear weapons scientists and policymakers have estimated each January how close we are as a world to civilization-ending disaster, by setting the hands of the Doomsday Clock, where Midnight represents apocalyptic nuclear war. In January 2024, the Doomsday clock was set at 90 seconds to Midnight, the closest it has ever been since its inception in 1947. Throughout 2023 nuclear nations spent 13% more than in 2022 on necrophilic nuclear weapons with the US accounting for 80% of this increase–all while we rush headlong into climate disaster, so palpable this summer. How much closer to Midnight will we be in January 2025?

As a counterbalance to this insanity, we have the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons adopted in 2017 by 122 sensible non-nuclear weapon States. The Treaty entered into force in 2021. By January 2024, 93 countries had signed the Treaty and 70 countries ratified it with more on the way. This UN Treaty is our best insurance as a world against any nuclear weapons use and has as its goal their complete elimination.

“Hiroshima,” by Juan Cole, Digital, Dream / Dreamworld v. 3 / IbisPaint, 2024

But, what can we do as citizens living in a country whose government first developed nuclear weapons; used them on Japanese civilians on August 6 and 9, 1945; and led the arms race ever since? The U.S. spent nearly $98,000 per minute in 2023 on modernizing nuclear weapons and now stands on the brink of using them again given its war-prone posture in the world.

Back from the Brink, a national nuclear weapons abolition organization “believes that we all deserve a say on policies that pose a direct threat to our lives, our families, our communities, our planet, humanity’s future.” A major priority of Back from the Brink is to engage and cultivate leadership in local cities, towns and states to influence federal legislation and policy ultimately to abolish nuclear weapons. One creative suggestion they urge is to ask our local and state politicians to issue a Proclamation on the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6 and 9), signaling that “abolishing nuclear weapons and preventing nuclear war is every community’s business.”

In that spirit, here is the Resolution we have asked Greenfield, MA Mayor Ginny Desorgher to send to the city’s state and federal elected officials on behalf of her citizens.

“Whereas, a world in which nuclear weapons exist and threaten our community and humanity’s very existence is a deeply unjust world;

Whereas, seventy-nine years ago, on August 6th and August 9, hundreds of thousands of human beings died – many instantly– or suffered severe health consequences in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan when the United States dropped atomic bombs;

Whereas, many people and communities within the United States have been and continue to be grievously harmed and suffer health consequences from the development, production and testing of nuclear weapons and uranium mining;

Whereas, nine nations collectively have approximately 12,100 nuclear weapons in their arsenals, most of which are far more destructive than those used against the people of Japan. The detonation of even a small number of these weapons could affect everyone on the planet, causing catastrophic human and environmental consequences that would threaten human civilization itself;

Whereas, current Cold War-era nuclear policies and spending are contributing to a costly new global arms race, do not make any nuclear-armed country safer and increase the risk of nuclear war;

Whereas, in 2023 U.S. taxpayers in Greenfield spent $4,033,796.19 cents on nuclear weapons–funds which would be better spent addressing urgent community needs for housing, education, infrastructure, jobs, health care, poverty alleviation, climate resilience and environmental protection;

Whereas, the people of Greenfield join with the people of Hiroshima in their plea “that all cities and citizens of the world unite together in expanding the circle of solidarity transcending national boundaries, partisan politics, and religious creeds to strengthen the bond of human friendship and solidarity.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I THE MAYOR OF GREENFIELD, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 6 AND AUGUST 9 TO BE:
LIFTING COMMUNITY VOICES FOR A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS DAY

Consider asking your Mayor or Town Council to issue a similar proclamation, if not for this year, then for 2025. But start now.

About the Author

H. Patricia Hynes is a retired professor of environmental health, directs the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice in western Massachusetts. She has written and edited 7 books, among them The Recurring Silent Spring. and Justice. Haley Publishing, Athol, MA, is publishing her new book, Hope but Demand Justice. She writes and speaks on issues of war and militarism with an emphasis on women, environment, and public health.

INFORMED COMMENT