Update of Nuclear Abolition Activities
by Sally Breen
Peace Action Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Maine
Council of Churches are working in coalition on nuclear abolition issues.
Our part-time staff person is Robin Scott Lea.
Our power point presentation, shown to many organizations and churches,
explains the hypocrisy and dangers of the U.S. Administration's policies
regarding continuing research and development of nuclear weapons.
A video, taped by Cathy Walsh, owner of Arabica Coffee in downtown Portland,
is being shown on local access public television stations. Cathy skillfully
blends interviews with Dr. Peter Wilk of Physicians for Social
Responsibility, Sally Breen, of Peace Action Maine, and others, with images
of nuclear war and technology, to illustrate the potential for disaster
unless the world works together for complete abolition of nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, August 5th, a group of activists and citizens gathered at the
Space Gallery in Portland to watch the film, Barefoot Gem, about the bombing
of Hiroshima, produced by a survivor. The bombing of Hiroshima killed
approximately 100,000 people, and three days later, the bomb dropped on
Nagasaki killed approximately 70,000 people.
On Friday, August 6th, Hiroshima Day, at a press conference at Portland City
Hall, Portland Mayor Nathan Smith read a personal statement in support of
the Hiroshima Mayors for Peace Initiative calling for the abolition of
nuclear weapons. Ira Shorr, Field Director of Physicians for Social
Responsibility, representing 30,000 health care givers nationwide, read a
statement that points out the dangers of the present administration's
policies regarding nuclear weapons. Tom Ewell, Executive Director of the
Maine Council of Churches, talked about a recent positive visit in D.C. with
Senators Snowe and Collins. And Dr. Peter Wilk, co-chair of Maine Physicians
for Social Responsibility, presented a demonstration with BBs that
represented in a graphic way the absurdity of the numbers of nuclear weapons
now on Earth.
On Friday, August 6th, 20 activists joined the Portland vigil by Women in
Black. Accompanied by the slow beat of a drum, the silent procession wound
around the city with signs that read, "No More Hiroshimas."
On Saturday, August 7th, at a booth on Congress Street during the Center for
Cultural Affairs' multi-cultural gathering, we provided origami paper and
help with learning to fold paper cranes. A steady stream of children and
adults enjoyed folding these colorful reminders that we must have No More
Hiroshimas. We also asked people to sign postcards calling on our senators
to refuse to fund research and development for nuclear weapons. We gathered
close to 300 signatures from noon to 7:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, August 11th, the Portland Press Herald carried an article
about Ira Shorr's visit to Portland.
With the power point presentation and the video, we have the capability of
reaching many more people with the message, No more nuclear weapons! Your
part in this effort is to call the Peace Action Maine office with
suggestions of organizations or churches that may want to host a meeting
where these can be shown. Also, call the office if you would like to get a
copy of the video and take it to your local cable access t.v. station.
Sally Breen is a member of the board of Peace Action Maine
Back to Peace Talk Index, Autumn, 2004