Tri-Valley CAREs
Communities Against a Radioactive Environment
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Posted by Marylia Kelley
In these topsy-turvy times, let us not forget to celebrate all of our amazing victories.
On July 7th at the United Nations in New York, the overwhelming majority of countries in the world (122!) adopted the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,” outlawing nuclear weapons development, testing, possession, use, threat of use, transfer and/or providing assistance in any prohibited activity. And, Tri-Valley CAREs participated as a non-governmental organization and longstanding partner in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
Next, the “ban treaty,” as it’s called, opened for signatures at the UN on September 20th - and 53 countries have formally signed on. Three of them have also completed their ratification procedures. The ban treaty will fully enter into force 90 days after the 50th country ratifies. It is within our grasp and possibly by the end of next year, which is speedy for international treaties.
But, wait, the good news doesn’t stop here! In the wee hours of the morning local time on October 6th the official news came from Oslo, Norway: ICAN won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize!
“[ICAN] is receiving the award for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its groundbreaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons,” stated the Nobel Committee. (And, if you read this as the Committee’s rebuke of the US and other nuclear-armed countries that are opposing the treaty, so do we!)
ICAN is a partnership of more than 400 groups in over 100 countries, including us. And, so, along with ICAN partner groups and friends at US nuclear weapons sites, we are planning a celebration.
On December 10, Beatrice Fihn, the Executive Director of ICAN, will be in Oslo, Norway, accepting the prize on behalf of all of the member groups worldwide. Can’t be there with Beatrice? No worries.
Come to the Livermore Lab West Gate lawn at 2 PM on Sunday, December 10 to celebrate locally. Get up-to-the minute news from Oslo, speak truth to power that nuclear weapons are illegal at the place that is further developing their use for mass extinction, and, maybe, enjoy some champagne or sparkling apple cider with us.
Bring something fun and celebratory – an offering from your garden, a winter garland, a musical instrument, your favorite peace sign or T-shirt, or a friendly hug. This is a kid-friendly event for all ages.