Solemn and Powerful Gathering at the Livermore Lab Gates on the 80th Anniversary of the US Bombing of Hiroshima

Around 100 people gathered at the Westgate entrance to Livermore Lab on the morning of Tuesday, August 6, 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.

The theme of the event was, 80 Years of Nuclear Devastation: Remember our History, Reshape Our Future.

A wonderful slate of speakers provided compelling insights and actions for the engaged audience. These speakers included Arjun Makajani, PhD (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research), Helen Jaccard (Veterans for Peace), Marylia Kelley (Tri-Valley CAREs Senior Advisor), Reverends Michael Yoshi (Speaking on Japanese Internment during WWII) and Monica Cross (CA Poor Peoples Campaign) and Patrcia Ellsberg (Activist). A video from the Zoom simulcast is available to view here.

Participants then joined in a “die-in” reenactment of the bombing. Bodies were outlined in street in front of the nuclear weapons lab at witnesses solemnly watched. They were then brought back together, with their ancestors in mind and were led in a Japanese Tradition of Bon, performing symbolic dance steps in the road to remember the nearly quarter million dead of 80 years ago.

Lastly 9 people took part in non-violent civil disobedience by blocking the gate to the Lab after the Police issued the call to disperse. These protestors were cited and released.

The event was one of many across the United States and the world observing the horrors of that day 80 years ago while reflecting on the nuclear threats of today.