May 1, 2005 - Central Park, NYC
Rally for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons

Abolish nuclear weapons
No wars on Iran and North Korea

Join the movement for a nuclear-free future!

During the presidential debates, George Bush and John Kerry agreed on one thing: the number one threat facing the world today is the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Recently, a United Nations report on global security said that the world is quickly reaching a point of no return where the nuclear threat will become "irreversible," resulting in "a cascade of proliferation."

This May, world leaders will gather at the United Nations in New York to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. Citizens all across the globe are organizing a massive demonstration in New York’s Central Park on May 1st, the day before the NPT meeting begins. This year, our demand is simple: begin negotiations now on a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons for good.

2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let us use this anniversary to make sure that these weapons will never be used again! The time to abolish nuclear weapons is NOW.

Endorse the May 1 demonstration for global nuclear disarmament, e-mail monika@abolitionnow.org or call (212) 726-9161 Get involved in planning and outreach: join the May Day 2005 committee by sending a blank e-mail to MayDay2005-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Organize buses from your region; go to New York May 1! Check out ten things you can do Visit www.abolitionnow.org and www.unitedforpeace.org for updates Contact the WAND national field office to find out what's happening in your area: 404-524-5999 | email twallace@wand.org

The risk of use of nuclear weapons is climbing toward levels not reached since the Cold War. Formerly only the "Big Five" had nuclear weapons (U.S., U.S.S.R./Russia, Britain, France, China); now, other countries are joining the list. The proliferation of nuclear weapons endangers everyone. However, global nuclear nonproliferation cannot succeed when those with nuclear powers tap public fears of proliferation, while at the same time modernizing their own nuclear arsenals and threatening to use them.

The current U.S. administration has declared a policy of preventive war, in which "America will act against...emerging threats before they are fully formed" - with a nuclear option. In the run-up to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq , President Bush told the American public that "we cannot wait for the final proof – the smoking gun – that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud." He didn't say that the mushroom cloud was more likely to emanate from the U.S. than from Iraq.

The administration justified the invasion of Iraq with charges that Saddam Hussein was developing "weapons of mass destruction" -- meaning nuclear weapons. It now appears that Washington is turning its sights on Iran and North Korea, with claims of a new nuclear threat.

While it demands that other nations desist, the U.S. will spend nearly $7 billion this year to maintain and modernize its nuclear warheads, and many billions more to operate and modernize their means of delivery. Altogether, the U.S. spends about $40 billion a year on its nuclear forces. Ten thousand nuclear warheads - two thousand on hair-trigger alert - remain in the U.S. arsenal, each one many times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped 60 year ago.

This May, world leaders and citizens from many countries will converge at the United Nations in New York City to discuss the fate of the endangered Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). While ignoring their own NPT disarmament obligations, the nuclear weapons states are accusing other nations of seeking nuclear arms.

Inspired by the aging "hibakusha" – the survivors of "hell on earth" in their cities - the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have launched an Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons, enrolling Mayors around the world to come to New York to demand immediate negotiations to eliminate all nuclear weapons under strict and effective international control.

No More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis!
August 6 and 9 Days of Remembrance and Action
1945-2005

August 6 and 9, 2005 mark the 60th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Join with people at four central US nuclear weapons sites in major actions calling for an end to the development and production of nuclear warheads. Activities will recognize the devastation caused by nuclear weapons and memorialize the many victims of bomb production at every step - from uranium mining to design, to production, to testing and use.

In Japanese culture, the 60th birthday holds a particular cultural significance in celebrating long life. In this 60th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the greatest gift to the hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombings) and to the world would be to reaffirm life by immediately initiating negotiations for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Women's Action for New Directions Education Fund
781-643-6740 | e-mail: info@wand.org
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