The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment:
On Sunday, August 4 in Watertown Square the community will remember the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (flyer attached). The 7 p.m. event will begin with a silent vigil, followed by speaker Kevin Maher of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist Community, music by Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin and Suzy Giroux, and a launching of candle boats at the MDCR dock.
Subtitled, “Never Again — No More Hiroshima and Nagasaki! No more victims — abolish nuclear weapons,” the stated purpose of the event is to honor the victims, decry that the original five nuclear states have not taken serious steps to abolish nuclear weapons, urge the United States to sign the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and strengthen the global grassroots movement to eliminate such weapons.
In March, the Peace and Common Security working group of Watertown Citizens kicked off their campaign to petition the City of Watertown to pass a Back from the Brink resolution to prevent nuclear war. After the required signatures are collected, the resolution will be presented to the City Council. To sign the petition or for more information, please visit www.watertowncitizens.org.
On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped the first nuclear bomb in history on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed by the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki three days later. The bombs killed an estimated 220,000 people immediately, and many more died from injuries, burns, and radiation poisoning in the months that followed. The bombings also caused long-term health effects, including leukemia, other cancers, and genetic abnormalities.
Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment with support from New England American Friends Service Committee and Mass. Peace Action, the event is free and open to the public.
Alternate Location in the Event of Rain: First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 35 Church St., Watertown
About Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment
Founded in 1979 as Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES), the group is a grassroots organization of over 600 members and supporters working to further social and environmental justice. They engage in educational events, peace vigils, and legislative initiatives. In 2011 they changed their name to Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment to better describe their expanded scope. For more information: www.watertowncitizens.org