1945 atomic bombing commemoration events planned (updated)
The 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan will be marked around the world next month. The city of Hiroshima was attacked by the United States on August 6, 1945. 140,000 people died, many instantly. Three days later, a second attack killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Canada had provided technology and uranium needed for the bombs.
Ceremonies to commemorate the terrible first use of nuclear weapons, and to pledge never for them to be used again, will be held in communities across Canada. Many events will be online because of the lingering pandemic, so you may be able to participate from anywhere.
Here are some of the events we have been informed about, and we’ll keep this list updated over the next few weeks. Please send your event notices to sstaples@peacequest.ca.
Toronto
Friday, August 06, 2021 • 7:00 PM ET
On the evening of August 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we invite you to attend Hope for the Earth: Canada Sign the Ban Treaty.
Peace activists and dynamic artists will highlight the importance of Canada’s joining the growing number of nations signing the Ban Treaty, and how we can contribute to the elimination of nuclear weapons. This event will include esteemed speakers, musical performances, Mayoral Proclamations and a lantern ceremony.
Speakers and performers include:
Setsuko Thurlow is a Hiroshima survivor and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. She is a lifelong advocate for global disarmament education and the entry into force of the 2017 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon.
Kehkashan Basu is the Founder-President of global social innovation enterprise Green Hope Foundation. She is an iconic youth leader, global influencer, environmentalist, champion of women’s and children’s rights, peace and sustainability campaigner.
Ron Korb is a Grammy nominated and multi-award-winning flautist. Playing a wide variety indigenous woodwinds from around the world, his compositions evoke imagery of diverse cultural traditions.
Erin Hunt is the Program Manager at Mines Action Canada and a humanitarian disarmament expert focusing on indiscriminate weapons, victim assistance, casualties and disarmament treaties.
Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/hopefortheearth
Vancouver
Seaforth Peace Park Flame
Friday, August 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
(Cornwall and Burrard in Vancouver Centre)
NATO having reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear weapons, regional nuclear wars with “tactical” A-bombs may happen. Daniel Ellsberg recently warned everyone that Taiwan is one likely scenario. NATO is certainly stepping up the aggression, recently attacking targets in Iraq and Syria. Join the Vancouver Peace Council and ILPS organizations including the Just Peace Committee to commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by reaffirming our commitment to opposing nuclear weapons and wars of aggression in favor of just peace and negotiations for just peace. Demand that Canada sign the 2017 nuclear non-proliferation treaty and get out of NATO.
Hosted by:
Just Peace Committee
ILPS – Vancouver
Vancouver Peace Council
Endorsed by:
Migrante BC
Canada Philippines Solidarity Organization
ILPS Canada
Coalition against Bigotry
Register on the Facebook event page: No More Hiroshimas! | Facebook
Ottawa
Friday August 6, 2021
7:30 PM
5th Ave. & Queen Elizabeth Driveway along the Rideau Canal
