Signed by Reagan and Gorbachev in 1987, the treaty banned ground-launched nuclear missiles and led to nearly 2,700 missiles being eliminated. It meant that the cruise missiles sited at Greenham and Molesworth were removed and countless more across Europe. Tearing up the INF Treaty will end the restraints on nuclear arsenals achieved in the 1980s. It will open the way for the return of cruise-type missiles to Europe: they have only one purpose – that a US nuclear war against Russia will be fought in Europe. We understood that in the 1980s and we mobilised against it – and the INF Treaty was in large part the result of that. Hundreds of thousands protested against cruise missiles; the iconic Greenham peace camp was part of that movement. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “This is a reckless move by Trump. Tearing up the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty will mark the end of the restraints on nuclear arsenals achieved in the 1980s. The danger is that we will see spiralling arsenals on a Cold War scale.  “We utterly condemn the Defence Secretary’s comment that the British government’s support for the US administration at this time is ‘absolutely resolute’. Britain should be voicing strong opposition to this dangerous move rather than fanning the flames that can lead to nuclear war.

• We stand resolutely against this return to the nuclear escalation of the Cold War and we call on all peoples once again to reject these moves.
• We condemn the Defence Secretary’s support for Trump’s action and call on our government to express strong opposition to this dangerous move.
• This is just the latest in a growing list of rash US positions: trashing the Iranian nuclear deal, planing to build ‘usable’ nuclear weapons and outlining a greater range of scenarios in which to use them .

3. Politicians, academics and activists gathered in Bristol 20th and 21st October for a two-day CND conference on how to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. see http://www.cnduk.org  and will be gathering Saturday, 17 November 2018 at 12:00
Join the CND banner outside the BBC on Great Portland Street

Along with a range of other peace organisations Edinburgh and are supporting  a Memorial to Conscientious Objectors and all who oppose war in Edinburgh. Conscientious objection and opposition to War is a significant part of Scotland’s history. 80,000 people marched to oppose the First World War in Glasgow in 1914. There were nearly 20,000 COs in Britain – 1434 in Scotland – yet they are scarcely recognised in public spaces. There are memorials to COs in London and other places but not yet in Edinburgh.                                                                                                                                           Civil society groups, faith groups and educators came together to make sure the voices of those who refused to fight are heard in Scotland’s capital city. A CO Memorial in Princes St Gardens will ensure that this history is recognised in a site that is visited by millions of people. To donate to the Memorial visithttps://chuffed.org./project/opposing-war-memorial                                                                                                                     We commissioned artists’ submissions and chose a design by a local artist for a bronze tree and bench that will create a space for reflection on alternatives to war in the midst of eight war memorials. In October theTransport and Environment Committee of City Council unanimously approved the design proposal. Now we need to raise the funds to complete the project. So far we have raised over £19,000. We need to raise £149,000 more for technical drawings, fabrication and installation of the sculpture. We hope to raise a total of £59,000 from individual donations and the rest from grants. Please take a few minutes to visit the crowd funder site, view the video and make a donation to support this enduring monument to those who said no to war:https://chuffed.org./project/opposing-war-memorial  Every donation counts, large or small. Alternatively you can donate by Bank Transfer (and save Card processing fees) toBank of Scotland Account Name: Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre
Account: 00207018 / Sort Code: 80-11-30 Be sure to use Reference: Opposing War If donating by Bank Transfer pleaseemailadmin@peaceandjustice.org.ukto request a Gift Aid form and make your donation go further AND tell us if it’s ok to acknowledge your donation by name on the website

This Evil Thing
Written and Performed by Michael Mears
Performance in aid of the Opposing War Memorial in Edinburgh
Tuesday 20 November, 6.30pm – 9.30pm
St. Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School Edinburgh EH3 9ES Tickets £10

5. Beyond Nuclear International: focuses this week on atomic testing, by the Russians in Kazakhstan and by the French in Algeria. Both countries endure an ongoing disaster in public health and environmental contamination. We feature those who have spoken out, sought compensation and cleanup, and who have become voices for global peace.

Activists in Wales were abandoned by their political leaders when they tried to stop mud — which scientists say could contain plutonium — being dumped just off shore. Nuclear Age Peace Foundation president, David Krieger, says our peace treaties have failed us and we need cooperation among diverse movements. The International Uranium Film Festival returns to Navajo next month. Despite its niche subject area, it enjoys unexpected popularity and no shortage of material.

6. UNFOLD ZERO:  report on the exciting Move the Nuclear Weapons Money campaign, including new endorsements, a benefit concert on October 20, and postponement of the Count the Nuclear Weapons Money action.                                                                     Nuclear weapon States should slash nuclear weapons budgets, reallocate these funds to the Sustainable Development Goals and take action to reduce the risk of nuclear war and to achieve nuclear disarmament, according to a number of governments speaking at the start of the 2018 UN session on Disarmament and International Security this week. Basle Peace Office adds: The 2018 UN session on Disarmament and International Security opened on October 8 with strong calls on the nuclear armed countries to slash nuclear weapons budgets, reallocate these funds to the Sustainable Development Goals and take action to reduce the risk of nuclear warand advance nuclear disarmament.

During the next four weeks governments will debate, and then adopt, resolutions at the UN General Assembly on a number of disarmament and international security issues.