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Edinburgh CND News 11th October 2017

Please see previous post for information about the Peace Prize.
1. The Edinburgh World Justice Festival is now over half way through and there was an excellent meeting organised by Scottish Wilpf on Monday. 
Edinburgh CNDs meeting is today:
Wednesday 11th October 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: Faslane Peace Camp – what can we learn – organized by Edinburgh CND https://www.facebook.com/events/1928856954056199/ 
Edinburgh Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’s meeting at the Edinburgh World Justice Festival. An introduction to the organisation and politics of Faslane Peacecamp through the eyes of present day and past participantshttp
See also EWJF blog: ://www.ewjf.org.uk/faslane-comes-to-edinburgh-lessons-from-the-forefront-of-the-anti-nuclear-movement/
Saturday 14th October: Conference 10am to 6pm Kings Hall Community Church. We will have a peace stall at the event (which we will leave briefly to do our leafleting 1230 East End of Princes Street). Do join us at either event.

Sunday 15th October: 2pm to 5pm Peace Walk start from Peace Pole on the Terrace, St John’s Church, off Lothian Rd, EH2 4JB Walk for peace, visiting peace places across Edinburgh. We’ll read poems, hear stories of nonviolent struggles for peace and disarmament, sing, and dance for peace; with mindful silent sections and concluding with reflection at Salsibury Centre. We warmly invite those of all faiths and none, all abilities, ages & backgrounds.

Monday 16th October 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: Learning from mass movements against war – organizing for the future – organized by Edinburgh Stop the War. 

They’ll be showing the short film ‘Old Enough to Know Better’ which chronicles the activity of Edinburgh’s anti war school students in 2003.  They’d also welcome short contributions for individuals who have been involved in anti-war campaigning.  In discussion we want to draw on and learn from these experiences and think about how we can apply them in 2017. 

 
for the full programme go to www.ewjf.org.uk
 
2. A member of Edinburgh CND, who was recently in Australia, wrote this article on nuclear weapons companies and the ban treaty: New treaty could help stop arms companies exploiting nuke threat
3. Governments are meeting at the United Nations in New York right now, and until the end of October, to discuss nuclear weapons threats, and adopt nuclear disarmament resolutions.
There are two key UN initiatives that could make a difference – the new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the 2018 UN High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament.
Similar UN High Level Conferences (HLCs) on other topics have been very successful, agreeing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopting the Paris agreement on Climate Change and adopting the 14-point Action Plan to Protect our Oceans.
Join the global virtual conference, a series of webinars on Oct 11-12 organized by the Basel Peace Office, UNFOLD ZERO, PNND, Global Security Institute and the Abolition 2000 working group on the 2018 UN High-Level Conference   Click here to register.  Click here for more background and for the conference program.
Together we can achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world.
4. UK nuClear News No.100 October 2017 is now available to download here: www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo100.pdf
5. A youth blog:
6.Los Alamos Bulletin 235: http://www.lasg.org/  Also some interesting press releases
7. UK CND is attending the political parties’ conferences again this year to put pressure on them to commit to getting rid of Trident and sign the United Nations’ global nuclear weapons ban treaty. We report back from the Labour conference in our October edition of Campaign magazine. The magazine also features what our Youth and Student section has been up to, and their exciting upcoming event.
Read Campaign: October edition
Download Campaign: October edition
They also have their annual conference and international meeting this week-end. http://www.cnduk.org  ++++++Includes: ‘Redefining security – from deterrence to common and human security’ by Dr Jenny Clegg, as background to and in support of Greater Manchester & District CND’s resolution on ‘common security’ at CND AGM & Policy Conference 2017, which is Resolution 8 in the conference pack.

Jenny will also be speaking at the conference on Saturday, titled ‘Confrontation or cooperation’, if you would like to discuss the briefing with her.
8.https://www.anfa.org.au/ For news from Australia
9. A book: Nic Maclellan: Grappling with the Bomb – Britain’s Pacific H-bomb tests (ANU Press, Canberra, 2017).
You can purchase a copy of the book or download a free E-book from the ANU Press website at: http://dx.doi.org/10.22459/GB.09.2017
10. On September 26, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, peace and disarmament activists around the world, in a social media action, Reached HIGH for a nuclear-weapon-free world.
The action highlighted United Nations initiatives to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons, including the new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the 2018 UN High Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament.
See photos of the social media action on facebook at Reach High photos.
 
 
edinburghcnd

Special Post for the Nobel Peace Prize

Please see EVENTS for information on ECNDs meeting on 11th October (and other events)
Wednesday 11th October 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: Faslane Peace Camp – what can we learn – organized by Edinburgh CND https://www.facebook.com/events/1928856954056199/ 
Scottish CND: As you might have heard the 2017 Peace Nobel Prize goes to ICAN for the work to rid our world of the evil of nuclear weapons and the major role played in achieving the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This is a well deserved award and Scottish CND are honored to have been partners for such a long time (read Scottish Scrap Trident Coalition – Press Release). However, the work has just started and we urge you to write to your representatives and join the series of nuclear ban meetings.

The TPNW signed by more than 50 member states which will soon be coming into force. Parliamentarians across the world played a major role in realising the treaty through their actions in the campaign. Now we are seeking their help to promote the signature and ratification of the treaty by all nations. The Parliamentary Pledge is a commitment by parliamentarians around the world to work for their government to join the treaty.

Given the position of the Scottish Parliament in opposing nuclear weapons, this is a very important way in which they can put pressure on the UK Government.
 
You can see if your parliamentarians have signed here.
If they have not, please ask your MSPs and MPs to sign it.
Send them a letter (find model here) and follow up with a phone call to their office. If you are unsure who your representatives are, this website might be of help https://www.writetothem.com.
See http://www.banthebomb.org/ for meetings around Scotland (see end for meetings in Scotland)
 
 
 

Message from CND ICAN – the global peace network – of which CND Is a partner organisation, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

At a time when the prospect of nuclear war seems closer than it has for a generation, the award of this prestigious prize is an essential recognition of the global majority against nuclear weapons – and the movement that has done so much to advance it.

Campaigners have worked tirelessly over the last few years, together with the 122 states who launched the first ever nuclear weapons ban treaty at the United Nations just a few weeks ago. We congratulate all the grassroots activists and campaigners, in Britain and around the world, who have done so much to make this possible.

The US-North Korean nuclear brinkmanship is an enormous challenge to this fantastic work. So too is President Trump’s determination to unpick the Iran nuclear weapons deal, a deal that has been widely recognised as successful. That’s why we warmly welcome the decision of the Nobel committee to support those who are struggling for more co-operation and less confrontation, defying the sordid logic of our present world leaders who appear to be hell bent on war.
Anti-nuclear weapons campaigns in Britain have responded to the Nobel peace prize announcement.

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:

“At a time when the prospect of nuclear war seems closer than it has for a generation, the award of this prestigious prize is an essential recognition of the global majority against nuclear weapons – and the movement that has done so much to advance it.

“ICAN – the global peace network – of which CND is a partner organisation, has worked tirelessly over the last few years, together with the 122 states who launched the first ever nuclear weapons ban treaty at the United Nations just a few weeks ago. We congratulate all the grassroots activists and campaigners, in Britain and around the world, who have done so much to make this possible.

“The campaigns to highlight the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons were an important factor in convincing the majority of the world’s states that they must take matters into their own hands in creating this new multilateral framework for abolishing nuclear weapons. See end for ICANs Press Release
The Basle Peace Office and UNFOLD ZERO add: Governments are meeting at the United Nations in New York right now, and until the end of October, to discuss and adopt nuclear disarmament resolutions.

One of these UN resolutions will set the dates and mandate for a unique event in 2018 – a UN High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament.

Similar UN High Level Conferences on other topics have been very successful, agreeing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopting the Paris agreement on Climate Change and adopting the 14-point Action Plan to Protect our Oceans

Will governments use the opportunity of the 2018 High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament to prevent nuclear war in North-East Asia and between Russia and the West, reduce nuclear stockpiles and advance the new treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons? 

Or will the nuclear armed and allied governments continue the status quo and spiral towards a nuclear catastrophe?

Reaching HIGH virtual conference, Oct 11-12, 2017

Find out more about the 2018 High-Level Conference. Input your ideas into the deliberations at the UN in New York.

Join the global virtual conference, a series of webinars on Oct 11-12 organized by the Basel Peace Office, UNFOLD ZERO, PNND, Global Security Institute and the Abolition 2000 working group on the 2018 UN High-Level Conference.
Together we can achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world.
LOS ALAMOS PRESS STATEMENT: http://www.lasg.org/BAN/BAN_open.html
Nobel Peace Prize Statement – ICAN UK – 6 October 2017
ICAN UK represents the British-based NGOs who are partners of ICAN, a civil society network
of over 450 organisations in one hundred countries.
Dr Rebecca Johnson, an original co-chair of ICAN and member of the International Steering
Group based in the UK, said:
“We thank the Nobel Committee for recognising and honouring ICAN and the thousands of
people in our international network that have worked so hard to ban and eliminate nuclear
weapons. The nuclear threats being issued by President Trump and North Korea remind us
that nuclear sabre rattling can lead to nuclear war through arrogance or miscalculation.
With British civil society at the forefront of nuclear disarmament efforts for so many years,
this Nobel Award encourages us to redouble our efforts to persuade the British government
to sign the UN Nuclear Prohibition Treaty, cancel Trident and take the lead to eliminate all of
these abhorrent weapons of mass destruction.”
Professor David McCoy, physician and former director of Medact, an ICAN-UK partner, said:
“Nuclear weapons are an unacceptable threat to human health and global security – they
have no place in the modern world. The UK government should be leading international
efforts to get rid of nuclear weapons instead of boycotting them. Health professionals are
calling on Government to scrap Trident and spend the money on the NHS.
Richard Moyes, Managing Director of UK NGO Article 36 – part of ICAN’s International
Steering Group, said:
“The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize highlights the importance of this new treaty at a time when the
threat of nuclear weapons is more pressing than ever in recent decades. ICAN focused
attention on the humanitarian impact that the use of these weapons would cause – with just
a single weapon threatening to kill and injure hundreds of thousands of people and to poison
their environment for the future. Despite the politics of these weapons, the scale of
humanitarian suffering that they can cause means they cannot be considered acceptable,
and that is why ICAN here in the UK and internationally has worked for them to be banned.”
Kate Hudson of ICAN partner CND said “This Nobel Peace Prize commits all of us to bring the
UK on board the historic UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Meetings on the Treaty Ban:
Edinburgh had a great meeting on September 20th. Meetings are also planned for:

  • East Kilbride, Sun 8 Oct | 7:00 pm                                          Calderwood Community Centre, Blackbraes Rd, 7 pm, hosted by Radical Independence Campaign
  • Cromarty, Fri 13 Oct | 7:30 pm                                                              The Victoria Hall, Cromarty, hosted by Cromarty Peace Group
  • Scottish Greens Autumn Conference 2017,Sat 21 Oct | 6:00 pm    Edinburgh (Sighthill campus of Napier University in Edinburgh)
  • Inverness, Thu 26 Oct | 7:00 pm                                                         The  Chieftain Hotel, hosted by SNP Inverness Branch
  • Skye, Sat 28 Oct | 11:00 am                                                                  Aros Portree, hosted by Yes Skye and Lochals
  • Peterhead, Sat 28 Oct | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm                                      Encounter Cafe on Drummers Corner Known by some as the old Habitat shop, hosted by Aberdeen CND
  • Dunbar, Mon 30 Oct | 7:00 pm                                                        Dunbar Methodist Church Hall, 10 Victoria street Dunbar, hosted by Anglican Pacifists hosted by Anglican Pacifists
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 29th September

1. Reminder: The Peace Boat will be visiting Edinburgh on the 3rd October between 2.30 and 9.00pm
There will be Hibakusha on board, and young climate change ambassadors from Japan along with other Japanese participants when peace boat is visiting Edinburgh.
More about the young people here:
  In the early evening they will visit the Peace and Justice Centre, and the Paper Crane Project. They arrive at the Centre at 7pm so we will see them after our monthly organising meeting (6-7pm, same venue) .

 

2. The Edinburgh World Justice Festival, of which Edinburgh CND is a part, is organising or supporting a number of important meetings over the next three weeks.  We hope to see you at some of them.

Saturday 30th September: Festival Launch 6-8pm Fig Tree Cafe EH1 1SU

Sunday 1st October; Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre: Campaign Non-Viloence. Bridgend Farmhouse EH16 4TD 1-5pm AND Opening of From Hiroshima to Faslane exhibition at Methodist Church. Runs 7pm 1st Oct to 1pm on 7th

 Wednesday 4th October, at 50 George Square, Room G04, Screening of Shadow World (organized by CAAT and Take One Action), Panel Discussion includes Stop the War 

 Thursday 5th October 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace – The Shadow World – inside the global arms trade – with author and activist Andrew Feinstein (Edinburgh Stop the War and others) see https://www.facebook.com/events/142391576367622/

Monday 9th October 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: International Peace – Women’s Campaigns organized by SWILPF https://www.facebook.com/events/1675467595806046/?

Wednesday 11th October 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: Faslane Peace Camp – what can we learn – organized by Edinburgh CND https://www.facebook.com/events/1928856954056199/ 

Saturday 14th October Conference 10am to  6pm Kings Hall Community Church

Monday 16th October 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace: Learning from mass movements against war – organizing for the future – organized by Edinburgh Stop the War

++++for the full festival programme go to www.ewjf.org.uk

 

3. After President Donald Trump gave a terrifying speech at the United Nations threatening to destroy North Korea, Pyongyang this week accused the United States of declaring war. CND is alarmed by the threat of nuclear war in North East Asia and the wider Pacific region. North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons and missiles in defiance of the international community, while the US and its allies continue their provocative actions in the region. There is a real danger that these actions will lead to the use of nuclear weapons by intention or miscalculation. The UK government could have an important role in this conflict. CND is urging Prime Minister Theresa May to use all appropriate diplomatic, international and legal means to end the nuclear threat. The government should also be pushing  for negotiations with North Korea and a return to the Six-Party Talks involving China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the US.

The world is a worrying place right now, not least the escalating nuclear rhetoric between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. It’s crucial that we get together and work out how to play our part in making the world a safer place. CND has a couple of important events coming up over the next month, where these issues will be up for debate, so why not come along?

Confrontation or cooperation? Nuclear abolition in dangerous times: International Conference
Saturday, October 14th Register for your free ticket
Scrapping Trident: A New Generation of Anti-Nuclear Activists 
Saturday, October 21st Aimed at Youth and Student CND supporters, this is a day of workshops and talks by anti-Trident groups, including Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Food not Bombs London and SNP Youth.
As well as planning the concrete next steps for the campaign against nuclear weapons, refreshments will be provided.

As the US-North Korea nuclear crisis worsens, protesters descended on Downing Street at on 28th September to call on the Prime Minister to rule out further British involvement in military drills over the Korean peninsula. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
 “Our government must do all it can to prevent nuclear war, but instead of that it has chosen to join in with Donald Trump’s preparations for war – participating in military drills over the Korean peninsula – and has remained silent about the US President’s increasingly belligerent approach to the conflict.

NB: in Scotland: Saturday 30th September 1pm – 4pm at Strathclyde University Student Union, 90 John Street, Glasgow G1 1JH, North Korea, Trump and War: Dissecting the Crisis in the Pacific As tensions mount in the Asia-Pacific we are pleased to announce that we will be joined by Dr Owen Miller, among others, to dissect the nature and history of North Korea – as well as the strategic objectives and ambitions of the United States in relation to Japan, China and South Korea. Organised by New Foreign Policy  Booking on Eventbrite at www.northkoreatrump.eventbrite.com

Corbyn calls for ‘dialogue and negotiations’ in response to US-North Korea nuclear crisis Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “Jeremy Corbyn is right to call for the end to the dangerous war of words in the US-North Korea nuclear crisis and for the UN secretary general to kick-start negotiations – only through talks is there a possibility of de-escalating this crisis. “The world is on the precipice of catastrophic warfare. That’s why it’s outrageous that Theresa May has remained silent on the growing crisis and that her Foreign Secretary could neither confirm nor deny whether the British military is involved in military drills over the Korean Peninsula.”  September 26th was the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons and CND has been spending the day at the Labour Party conference explaining why a Labour government should commit to signing the UN’s global nuclear weapons ban treaty. CND will  be taking the same demand to the Tory party conference. You can also get involved by calling on your MP to support the ban treaty: Write to your MP
53 countries have already signed in less than a week, let’s get the UK to sign as well. In a new blog post, Kate Hudson has written on why Labour must support the nuclear ban treaty.

ALSO on the 30th:

Not all women were in favour of war in 1914-1918.  Many were particpants in the Women’s Peace Crusades. Scottish branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom have linked up with Glasgow Women’s Library to bring you an event focusing on the Peace Crusades in Glasgow & Manchester.
The event will take place on Saturday afternoon, 1.30-3.30 on 30 September 2017,  at Glasgow Women’s Library. All women are welcome to attend this free event.
EVENTS IN NOVEMBER:
1. On Saturday 4th November Greater Manchester & District CND and the Working Class Movement Library will be hosting a Peace History Conference in Manchester. The conference will mark the 100th anniversary of the Russian
Revolutions and looks at the effects on the British labour and peace  movements. Spaces are limited so early booking is advisable.
NB fromManchester CND Just a reminder of tomorrow’s Tories Out demo in Manchester.

If you are coming down, please bring your group’s banner and join the CND block. 
We’ll have a marquis set up in Castlefield Bowl from midday. Please come say hi!
 
2. Socially Constructed Radiation Hazards: Nuclear Power and Fracking   4 -5.30pm on Wednesday 15th November Staff Room, sixth floor Crystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square Edinburgh EH8 9LD

 Dr Fairlie is a radiation biologist, an expert on radiation doses and risks to human health. As a public intellectual, he speaks out plainly against human activities that add to radiation hazards.  The Chernobyl accident in 1986 triggered his studies of the hazards of radiation releases from nuclear facilities. He contributes to the international debates about leukaemia clusters around nuclear plants.  More recently, he has commented on the likely long-term health impact of Fukushima, the radioactive risks of fracking and the health hazards of shells hardened with depleted uranium.  This is a unique opportunity to ask questions of an expert. These topics may not be close to your research interests but they may impact on your life. Nuclear accidents, like atmospheric nuclear tests, have a global impact but small local emissions also have health effects. Dr Fairlie will present some of his work and take questions about the radiation hazards on any of these issues. This is a rare opportunity to ask questions of an independent expert, as most radiation scientists tend to come from nuclear energy or nuclear weapons establishments.

There  will also be an evening meeting part sponsored by Edinburgh CND

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Edinburgh CND News 20th/21st September


(B) Treaty comprehensively bans nuclear weapons research, possession, use, deterrence, and all forms of assistance in these prohibited acts

Around 45 states signed, more in following days; ceremony began 8 am EDT; entry into force follows 50th ratification. (http://www.lasg.org)

Edinburgh CND joined others outside the Scottish Parliament for a citizens signing.
CND writes: 122 countries, frustrated by the lack of progress by the nuclear states, have taken matters into their own hands to produce this groundbreaking framework through which signatories can work towards a nuclear-free world.
CND’s call for Britain to join this initiative has been echoed by faith leaders, politicians & trades unionists who have set out why Britain must sign up to the treaty in today’s Guardian and CND’s Kate Hudson has written more on Trump’s speech & the nuclear ban in the Independent.
Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
“The anti-nuclear weapons movement across the world has been working towards this day for decades. The earliest CND placards called on our leaders to ban the bomb and abolish all nuclear weapons. “As a result of that sustained campaign, and tireless efforts from the states that have brought this to fruition, a ban treaty will be launched at the United Nations today. “In these turbulent times – when there is a real possibility of nuclear war – it is very inspiring to see the international community – the majority of world states – taking matters into their own hands to make progress on building a nuclear free world.
ICAN writes : UK absent as UN States line up to sign this important new nuclear treaty 
(London, 20 September 2017) International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons UK (ICAN UK)
Heads of State and Foreign Ministers from many countries will started the process of joining the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) when it opened for signature by the UN Secretary General António Guterres in New York, 20September
Vatican City first to sign and by end of day there were 50 signatures:
article: https://opendemocracy.net/uk/new-hope-for-nuclear-free-world-but-where-is-uk

Copies of the Treaty are also available fromICAN

B. Keep up the pressure – No Nuclear War protest
CND (www.cnd.uk.org) writes: In the coming weeks our movement must step up to assert a very different agenda to the one our government is pursuing. Protest: There is a protest in London: No Nuclear War 5pm • Thursday 28th September • Downing Street, London
Other actions you can take Sign our letter to tell Theresa May how to prevent a nuclear war Letters will be delivered to Downing Street on the 28th September as part of a protest.                                                                                                                                                   There will be stalls on the 26th (see above).                                                                               Please write to your MPs and local press.

The Basle Peace Off ice writes: The United States and North Korea should step back from the brink of war in North East Asia, and instead adopt a diplomatic approach to prevent war, according to an appeal sent yesterday to these two governments, and to the UN Security Council, by members and affiliates of the Abolition 2000 global network to eliminate nuclear weapons.
110 organisations and over 200 additional civil society representatives from 44 countries endorsed the appeal. it highlights the increasing risk of war – and possibly even the use of nuclear weapons by miscalculation, accident, or intent, calls for ‘immediate commencement of negotiations to prevent a military conflict from erupting,’ and urges ‘the UN Security Council to prioritise a diplomatic solution to the conflict.’Launching a ‘preventive‘ military attack against North Korea would not resolve the nuclear threat in the region, it would only ‘make matters much worse‘ according to Senator Ed Markey, Co-President of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), who led a United States bipartisan delegation to Korea and Japan at the end of August.

C.Anti-nuclear weapons campaigners have welcomed a decision by Trades Union Congress 2017 to call on Labour to establish a Shadow Defence Diversification Agency ahead of the next general election. The agency will address the long-term challenges of a shrinking manufacturing sector by “developing an overall national industrial strategy including the possibility of conversion of ‘defence’ capacity”. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “This is very welcome news. Jobs are often presented as an argument in favour of Trident replacement, so it’s essential that there is a plan to secure alternative high-skilled jobs – and to create many more jobs – if a Labour government decides to scrap the present government’s £205 billion scheme

EVENTS:                                                                                                                                                    1. September 21st is International Peace day and September 26 has been chosen by the United Nations to be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Abolition Day).
On this day, join parliamentarians, mayors, religious communities, youth, artists, activists and others around the world to Reach HIGH for a nuclear-weapon-free world Take a photo of yourself, or you and others, on a high place or reaching high, or lifting a peace sign/object up high; Post your photo on social media with the hastags #ReachHIGH2018, #Sep26dontNukeUs, #abolishnukes, and/or #YouthAgainstNukes. Contact UNFOLD ZERO for a sample peace sign to use in your action. They expect that the High Level session will be able to be watched live on UN Web TV http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/high-level-plenary-meeting-to-commemorate-and-promote-the-international-day-for-the-total-elimination-of-nuclear-weapons/5569780423001

2. The Peace Boat will be visiting Edinburgh on the 3rd October between 2.30 and 9.00pm
There will be Hibakusha on board, and young climate change ambassadors from Japan along with other Japanese participants when peace boat is visiting Edinburgh.
More about the young people here:
 They have been invited to the Scottish Parliament early in the day, and then they are going to visit the Story Telling Centre  for a cultural exchange and a meal. In the early evening they will visit the Peace and Justice Centre, and the Paper Crane Project. They arrive at the Centre at 7pm so we will see them after our monthly meeting.

                                                                                                                                                                 3. Nukewatch Public Meetings: Could Scotland Cope with a Nuclear Weapons Convoy Crash?
EDINBURGH: 28 Sept 6pm, Godfrey Thomson Hall, Thompsons Land, St John St, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ  Jointly organised with UN House
HELENSBURGH: 2 Oct 7.30pm, EDINBURGH: 6 Oct 7pm, Yes Hub, 31 Lasswade Rd, EH16 6TD  jointly organised with Edinburgh Yes Hub
GLASGOW: 10 October, 7pm, STIRLING: 24 Oct 7pm, GLASGOW: 26 Oct 12.30pm,
The Nukewatch report “Unready Scotland” raises sharp questions about the preparedness of the civil authorities in Scotland to respond to a serious incident involving the transport by road of UK nuclear warheads, with its unique combination of high explosives and toxic nuclear materials.

4. SCND AGM takes place on Saturday, November 11th in the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL.
Registration is from 10 am and the meeting starts at 10:30 am.
The meeting should last until about 3 pm and a lunch will be provided. Further details on the SCND website http://www.banthebomb.org


 

5. The Conservative Party is holding its Annual Conference in Manchester this year and there will be a week of demonstrations, actions and events organised by the many, many people who oppose them. 1st October – Tories Out – Festival and demonstration
 On the opening day of the conference, there will be a major festival and demonstration, starting in Castlefield Arena (Manchester) at 12pm.- For info on the demonstration, visit here – For info on the CND bloc at the demo, visit here

Please bring banners, placards and loud voices!                                                                          2nd October – Avoiding Apocalypse – CND public meeting – 5.15pm Greater Manchester CND is hosting a meeting about the global situation and how we can build an alternative to a foreign policy based on nuclear weapons and war. Speakers will include: Dr Kate Hudson (General Secretary of CND), Ann Feltham (Parliamentary Officer at CAAT) and Dr Jenny Clegg (Expert on North East Asia and CND Council Member). Fully details are here                                                                                                                                                    STOP PRESS: (a) If you are in Manchester join CND at 6pm on Sunday 24th September at St Paul’s Church on West Street. (b) In a new blog post, Kate Hudson has written on why Labour must support the nuclear ban treaty. (c)You can follow CND’s activities at Labour Party conference on our Twitter @CNDuk – you can join in the conversation about nuclear weapons by using the #Lab17 hashtag when you’re tweeting.

 6. A four-day international conference of doctors, lawyers, scientists and nuclear experts from 27 countries concluded in Basel yesterday with the release of the Basel Declaration on human rights and trans-generational crimes resulting from nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. PNND adds Now is the time to start asking questions in your parliament about the 2018 UN HIgh-Level Conference, whether your government will attend at the highest level (Prime Minister or President) and what they hope to achieve at the conference.

7. Peace and Justice Events:                                                                                                   (a) Thurs 21Sept: Celebration lunch for International Day of Peace and the birthday of the P&J. For volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved. Peace & Justice Centre.  We will provide the soup and bread.                                                                               (b)    2.  Living Nonviolently Toward the Earth 1st October – 1 – 5pm Bridgend Farmhouse.  41 Old Dalkeith Rd. EH16 4TD                                                                                    (c). Walk for Peace Edinburgh. 2 – 5pm.  Sunday 15 Oct (Note Date change) .  Starting from Terrace of St John’s Church, EH2 4BJ.  A gentle, mindful walk, visiting peace places across Edinburgh. With poetry, singing, stories of nonviolence and struggles for peace & disarmament, a dance for peace and a silent section led by members of the Interbeing Community Sangha. All welcome.
Now is the time to start asking questions in your parliament about the 2018 UN HIgh-Level Conference, whether your government will attend at the highest level (Prime Minister or President) and what they hope to achieve at the conference.

 

edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 10th September

STOP PRESS 1. Monday 18th September 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting – Oppose Trump’s Nuclear Warmongering https://www.facebook.com/events/117168162285716/    At the monthly meeting of Edinburgh Stop the War we’ll be discussing the background to the crisis in Korea. The British government continues to through its support behind Trump. We’ll be planning action to highlight the danger of the current situation and to make it clear that May does not speak in our name. For more details see after next item.

STOP PRESS 2. The Nuclear Ban is ready for signing: In Scotland, on 20th of September, from 12 – 1 pm, there will be a “Citizens Signing Ceremony” in front of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh where anybody present can sign a giant copy of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Please come along to help leafleting and bring a banner. 

Special Edinburgh CND Public Meeting:                                                                                     122 States voted to adopt the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the UN in New York 7 July 2017 – a landmark international agreement that outlaws, categorically, the worst weapons of mass destruction and establishes a pathway to their elimination. WHERE: Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre, 5 Upper Bow, Edinburgh, 
EH1 2JN  (Next to Quaker Meeting House)
WHEN: Wednesday, 13th September 2017
TIME: 5 pm -7pm          Please come to this Edinburgh CND meeting to learn more about what you can do to support the Nuclear Ban Treaty.   Listen to a report back from Flavia Tudoreanu SCND co-ordinator and other women who attended the Open-Ended Working Groups last year and the final meetings at UN in New York this summer. STOP PRESS: we will also have a report (with pictures) of last weeks London Protest against the Arms Fair.

If you miss Wednesday, there is also a meeting on Friday: https://www.facebook.com/events/138361523424864/


Are you worried about the stand off between USA and North Korea? So are we! SCND Says: The threat of nuclear war is real and the North Korean nuclear crisis reconfirms it. Scottish CND  strongly supports a diplomatic solution and urges all parties in the current dispute to refrain from proactive military exercises and inflammatory and aggressive public statements.  Britain and other nuclear weapons states keep updating and modernising their nuclear arsenals when in fact, there’s a clear impetus for disarmament through multilateral diplomacy.  These alarming developments only go to reinforce the importance of the The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, agreed by the UN in July this year. You can read Scottish CND’s statements on North Korea on their website and find a detailed analysis of the crisis on the British CND website. More details about the nuclear ban can be found on www.nuclearban.scot or ICAN’s website.

British CND says : North Korea’s nuclear test has been in the headlights this week, as CND calls for a diplomatic, rather than military, solution to the crisis. Our September edition of Campaign magazine examines the escalating tensions.
Read Campaign magazine: September edition
Take Action:

Is the world heading to nuclear war?

CND is alarmed by the threat of nuclear war in North East Asia and the wider Pacific region. North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons and missiles in defiance of the international community, while the US and its allies continue provocative actions, threats and exercises in or near North East Asia and the Pacific. There is a real danger that these actions will lead to the use of nuclear weapons by intention or miscalculation. There are no safe hands for nuclear weapons and any detonation of a nuclear device would be a humanitarian catastrophe with global impacts. Threatening and isolating the North Korean regime risks escalating the conflict rather than encouraging solutions. We urge the UK Government to use all appropriate diplomatic, international and legal means to end nuclear threats, to push for negotiations with North Korea and a return to the Six-Party Talks involving China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the US. Both immediate and longer term solutions are needed including creating a zone free of nuclear weapons in North East Asia, a process to address the underlying causes of regional insecurity and conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and the promotion of peace, development and cooperative co-existence and security for all peoples in the region. 
We call on the UK Government to reject a military solution to the conflict and urgently use its influence to press for all involved to avoid and refrain from further provocative rhetoric or military exercises and tests. September can be a turning point for a world on the brink of nuclear war
It was truly terrible news that North Korea had tested a hydrogen bomb, against international law, the wishes of the international community and all peace-loving people. It is a disastrous development and CND strongly condemns this action. We add our voices to all those that call for a diplomatic solution. Steps now towards war could lead to our annihilation.
Read Kate Hudson’s blog post for more analysis on this latest development.

More from British CND : Let’s make September count
1. On the 20th September 2017, the nuclear ban treaty will open for signature. States across the world are invited to sign up to prohibit nuclear weapons. This is a giant step forward on the road towards global abolition of nuclear weapons. Over one hundred countries are likely to sign the treaty, but will Britain make the most of the crucial opportunity for peace?
2. CND is calling on Theresa May to take a major step to prevent nuclear war
We have written to the Prime Minister with advice on the actions she could take to prevent a nuclear war. Signing the ban treaty is one of our demands. We invite our supporters to sign the letter and to encourage friends to sign too. We will deliver the letters to Downing Street on the 20th of September.
On the 23rd September, the Guardian will carry a full-page advert in support of the global ban. Edinburgh CND have contributed.
3. Get the message to your MP Local CND groups will lobby their constituency MPs on Friday 22nd September, asking them to support the ban treaty and to urge the government to do the same. Groups are also running stalls in town centres on Saturday 23rd. Please get in touch with details of your local events and we will share them.
4. Write to the local press?
We need to raise awareness of the ban – writing to your local newspaper is a good place to start. You can find a template letter on the CND web site. Feel free to modify it according to the interests and concerns of your local community. Let us know if it is published!                                                                                                                                                           5. Educate; The September edition of the CND magazine also features CND’s peace education programme. Read the magazine here.

NB 1. See previous post on this site for a civil society appeal for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The appeal is organised by Abolition 2000, one of our partner networks, and is open for endorsement. It is endorsed by Edinburgh CND.                                                           2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/31/uk-must-take-lead-role-in-de-escalating-threat-of-nuclear-war


News from Other Organisations:  

  1. The EWJF is happy to announce the launch of Edinburgh World Justice Festival’s 2017 programme. Events will run from September 30th and end on October 16th.
    They have a wide and exciting array of events this year, including first-hand testimony from Nobel Peace Prize nominee Benny Wenda on the West Papua struggle for freedom, a family friendly day at Bridgend Farmhouse with activities showing how we can live nonviolently to our earth, and instructive workshops  on surveillance, lobbying, justice, climate change and sustainability during our main conference on October 14th.
    Check out the new website here to view the programme and reserve tickets to all our free events, including Edinburgh CNDs event on 11th October. There will also be an open planning meeting on 11th September. Please attend if you would like to be involved.
  2. The Wednesday 31st August meeting of the Scrap Trident Steering Group meeting had a gripping visit from three Korean Peace activists. Meeting notes available. They decided to write an open letter to the US Government, hand it into the consulate in Edinburgh on Monday 5th and send it to the Herald.        Malcolm Bruce signed for ECND                                                                                                                  3. The Scottish branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom have linked up with Glasgow Women’s Library to bring you an event focusing on the Peace Crusades in Glasgow & Manchester. Not all women were in favour of war in 1914-1918.  Many were particpants in the Women’s Peace Crusades.  The event will take place on Saturday afternoon, 1.30-3.30 on 30 September 2017,  at Glasgow Women’s Library. All women are welcome to attend this free event

4.. Ceilidh – Dancing for Nonviolence 15th September St. Peter’s Church – EH8 9PE
7.30pm to 11pm The Greater Spotted Ceilidh Band will be enthralling us with their epic ceilidh set once more: there will be dynamic dancing, fabulous food, outrageous raffle, cooperative games & spell binding storytelling about nonviolence.
The proceeds will both go to this series of community events towards nonviolence as well as Cooperative Game & Conflict Resolution workshops into primary schools run by Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre. For more information see our Facebook event or book tickets by clicking here.

5. The September Edition of Drones Campaign News is out: https://dronecampaignnetwork.wordpress.com/

6. Nuclear Accidents: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/637163/2017-06109.pdf

7. The August edition of the NFLA Newsletter. It contains articles on this month’s Mayors for Peace Conference, upcoming NFLA meetings, a special event for the British nuclear test veterans, the North Korea crisis and the upcoming NDA Stakeholder Summit. 

8 Nuclear Ban Treaty: What faith communities can do next! WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 6.30 PM Friends House London

9. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue (with the walk nearing its end) :For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry

 Other News:
  1. A Book:  Voices for Peace, an edited anthology featuring original contributions from Noam Chomsky, John Pilger, space weapons specialist Bruce K. Gagnon and many others https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Peace-Resistance-Full-Spectrum-Dominance/dp/1905570899/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504344167&sr=1-1&keywords=voices+for+peace+colesTopics include North Korea, US-China nuclear relations, Russia-Ukraine and the threat of nuclear war and the importance of space in nuclear strategy. Please consider sending this email to your group. Also, I’m available to give talks, as long as my travelling expenses are covered.
2. Future of command and control (JCN 2/17)
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 28/9th August with Special Update 1st September

STOP PRESS on The Korean Crisis
September Meetings/events with EdinburghCND
1. Our monthly  organising meeting will be on Tuesday 5th September at 6pm in the Peace and Justice centre 5 Upper Bow EH1 2JN. All welcome.

2.Nuclear Weapons and Climate Change: Scotlands Chances: Tilman Ruff (ICAN). 5.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House Edinburgh.                                                                                                3. We will be leafleting on Saturday 9th September from 1230 at the east end of Princes Street (before Women in Black)

4. There will be a special meeting on Wednesday 13th September starting at 5pm, also in the Peace and Justice Centre. This will be a report back from the UN conference on the Nuclear Ban treaty and will be led by SCND co-ordinator Flavia Tudoreanu. There will be also be a similar meeting on the 15th (watch this space)
5. Our October Special meeting will be the annual EWJF meeting and will be on Wednesday 11th October (watch this space or see http://www.ewjf.org)
News
1. Those who follow our Facebook page will already know the latest scandal surrounding Nuclear Transportation. Nuclear warheads surrounded by explosives are regularly transported on British roads, yet authorities are wholly unprepared to handle an accident, according to a damning report.
Also see:
Please sign Nukewatch’s petition to the Scottish Government asking them to review arrangements for civil authorities preparedness to deal with a nuclear weapons convoy accidents (you don’t have to live in Scotland to sign but you do need a UK post code)
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/review-preparations-for-dealing-with-a-nuclear-convoy-accident
Please share it with your networks.
You can also read more about the report and download it at http://www.nukewatch.org.uk/?p=683
2. On the International front : The Basle Peace Office/ UNFOLD Zero tell us that the escalating nuclear threats between North Korea and the United States remind us of the importance of nuclear disarmament and urge us to take action to prevent a nuclear catastrophe and support the achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free world. 
The Basel Peace Office also invites you to join them in Basel from September 14-17 for an international conference Human Rights, Future Generations and Crimes in the Nuclear Age. The conference will include the award ceremony for the Nuclear Free Future Award.  They highlight the following commemorative days on which to take action:
3. News from London:  A. CND wrote to the Prime Minister with three clear instructions on the actions she could take to prevent a nuclear war. They invited CND groups to sign the letter and encourage group members to do the same.
– Click here to sign the letter
B. Hundreds gathered in London on Saturday 20th to express concern about the rising tensions between America and North Korea and the dangers of nuclear war. It was a powerful event that was well attended by people from all walks of life, with some brilliant speakers including CND’s own Kate Hudson.
C. CND has some exciting names confirmed for the international conference on Saturday 14th October including:
* Reiner Braun, Co-President of International Peace Bureau (IPB)
* Arielle Denis, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
* Joseph Gerson, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
D. CND will have a statement against Trident in The Guardian on September 23rd and are inviting contributions.
They will be calling on the Labour party to change their policy on Trident, and join the rest of the world in making real strides towards disarmament.
4. In their latest update Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament  (PNND) write about actions on the Korea nuclear crisis, preparations for the 2018 United Nations High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament, signing of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and we mourn the loss of PNND Council Member Tony de Brum, a champion for climate protection and nuclear abolition.
They also report on PNND (and Pugwash) actions/events for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests (August 29), and plans for the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Sep 26). See post 2 in this section.
Launching a ‘preventive‘ military attack against North Korea would not resolve the nuclear threat in the region, it would only ‘make matters much worse‘ according to PNND Co-President Senator Ed Markey, who led a United States bipartisan delegation to Korea and Japan last week.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opens for signature at the United Nations on September 20.
PNND mourns the death of Council Member Tony de Brum who passed away on August 22. Mr de Brum, who witnessed nuclear tests as a child in the Marshall Islands, went on to become a global leader in the nuclear disarmament and climate protection movements. See also http://www.climatechangenews.com/2017/08/22/tributes-pour-marshallese-climate-hero-tony-de-brum/
NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
1. Edinburgh CAAT
A. Saturday 2 September 12-5pm, Edinburgh 
Prop-making for Stop the Arms Fair 
Whether you’re thinking of joining the trip to London or not, you’re welcome at Niina’s flat for some food and letting out your inner artist, be it producing slogans, banners or other props. Paints, brushes and some canvasses will be provided –if you have extra cardboard, sticks or batons, please bring them with you!
Text 07896577877 for the address, or email caatedinburgh@live.com
B. Sunday 3 September, 7-9pm, The Strathie on Iona Street
Drinks and chat with folks at Edinburgh CommonWeal
A relaxed chat about CAAT’s current campaigns on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Scottish arms manufacturing, and their divestment and education programmes.
More on the facebook event page here
**They’ll also be having a Yemen campaign strategy meeting beforehand at 5.30pm on Sunday 3rd at Woodland Creatures**
C.Monday 4 September, 7pm to 8.45pm, Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
CAAT Edinburgh Quarterly Meeting   regular quarterly meeting. All welcome!
 D. Monday 4 to Monday 11 September, London Stop the Arms Fair in London 
Every two years, the international weapons industry set up shop in London at a huge arms fair, DSEI. The weapons sold here fuel the death, destruction and injustice perpetrated by militaries, police forces and at borders around the world. 2015 saw the biggest-ever protests against DSEI, where hundreds of people took part in a huge week of action, blocked entrances for six days and disrupted the set-up of the fair. With the arms fair planning to return in 2017, the protests will be even bigger and a huge and diverse movement is building to shut it down for good!
Edinburgh CAAT members will be travelling to London for the week of action – get in touch if you are interested in joining us.
E. Wednesday 27 September (exact time tbc), City Chambers, Edinburgh
Edinburgh City Council Pensions Committee Meeting
 The Council’s Pension committee will meet and hear our deputation request on divesting council pensions from the arms trade. Members of the public will be able to attend, and it would be great to have as many supporters there as possible. 
2. Nuclear News A. nuClear News No.99 September 2017 is now available for downloading.
www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo99.pdf
B. They are also asking for funding help:
Cheques, made payable to “no 2 nuclearpower”, to Pete Roche c/o Friends of the Earth Scotland, Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR.
Or donate by PayPal. For details see here! : www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/help/donations.phpOr donate via internet banking to Co-operative Bank; sort code 08-92-99
No 2 Nuclear Power a/c no. 65162637
3. ICAN UK  Monday 4th September: ICAN meeting in YORK (Medact’s conference is in York on the 4-6th September), Medact have booked backstage room at the Central Hall for 16.30-18.30 slot. The Ban treaty will be on the agenda
4.  ICAN France ( http://icanfrance.org/ ) have a  group cycling around the UK to raise awareness and share ideas about nuclear disarmament.  If anyone is interested in contacting or meeting up with the group this is the mobile number for Aino as they will be on the move  – +491573258164.  Feel free to pass this email along to anyone who may also be interested – again, I know it is quite late notice!
5. Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre meetings. A. Fri 15 Sept: Ceilidh – Dancing for Non-Violence St Peters Church. Lutton place. 7:00-11:00pm. More info here.
B. Thurs 21 Sept: Celebration lunch for International Day of Peace. For volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved. Peace & Justice Centre.  
C. Sun 24 Sept: Walk for Peace Edinburgh. Starting from the terrace of St John’s church. A gentle mindful walk with poetry, song as we visit peace places around the city. 2-5pm.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 16th August

Show your opposition to Trump’s nuclear war mongering. Friday 18th and Friday 25th August from 2pm – 6pm at the east end of Princes Street by the Wellington Statue. Scottish CND, Edinburgh CND and Edinburgh Stop the War are joining together to leaflet and petition and demonstrate our opposition to Trump’s policy and the support it seems to have from the Westminster government.
PETITION: http://act.cnduk.org/petition/StopNuclearWar
A general leaflet and petition on arms sales to Saudia Arabia and the impact on Yemen can both be downloaded from the ESTW resources page at http://www.scotlandstopwar.org/
+++++++18th August: CND Press release: Tensions continue to run high between the US and North Korea, yet the Prime Minister hasn’t thought it fit to comment.
The world is probably closer to nuclear war than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis after Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un engaged in a terrifying war of words over many days. See Website for letter to Teresa May
The US Embassy declined to accept a letter from a delegation of journalists, writers, and peace activists. The letter calls on the United States government to stop its nuclear brinkmanship in the crisis with North Korea.
Millions of people around the world are concerned about the growing threat of nuclear war. Civil society organisations are calling on the British government to call for restraint and a different approach by Britain’s main ally. British Prime Minister Theresa May has been silent about the crisis, despite tensions continuing to grow.
The letter:
Excellency
We the undersigned are extremely concerned about the growing international tension and the dangerous threats that have been exchanged between the Presidents of the U.S. and North Korea.  
We strongly urge President Trump and the U.S. government to employ the utmost restraint and to immediately engage in diplomatic talks with the aim of defusing the current situation. 
It is unthinkable that the threat of nuclear annihilation should be considered as acceptable. At this time people around the world are remembering the effects of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. We are reminded of the death, pain and suffering that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and are determined that people should not have to suffer like that again.
Negotiation and talks to increase understanding between the U.S. and North Korea and to ease the tension must be the way forward. May we humbly remind you that in 2010 a cross-party group of parliamentarians from Japan and South Korea proposed the negotiation of a North East Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone as a solution to the growing nuclear threat from North Korea. This remains a sensible and productive way forward, especially in light of the recent agreement by 120 nations in the United Nations to recognise that nuclear weapons, and threats of their use, are unacceptable and should be made illegal.
People around the world are extremely anxious for their future and we request that you convey our plea for calm and peace between nations to President Trump. We trust that statements defusing the situation can be issued immediately and a diplomatic solution will be sought as soon as possible.
The letter was handed in by: Giles Fraser, journalist and priest; Victoria Brittain, writer and journalist; Bruce Kent, peace activist; Jan Wolf, playwright; Helen Drewery, Quakers in Britain; Carol Turner, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition; Murad Qureshi, Stop the War Coalition
At approximately 1.15pm, the letter will be read out by a member of the delegation. Other members will make verbal contributions before the letter is handed in to the US Embassy. The letter itself will be published tomorrow morning on the CND web site and sent out as a press release and there will be Visuals for photographers
Supporters of civil society organisations involved in the delegation are expected to be in attendance. They will hold placards calling for an end to the race to nuclear war.
Watch Bruce Kent’s BBC 1 discussion about the growing crisis between the United States and North Korea on BBC 1.
Bruce was also interviewed for Radio 4’s Broadcasting House program – he was asked how worried are you?
 
The Scottish CND Global Ban Treaty Working Group are organising a public meeting on on Wed,  23rd of Aug at 7 pm in the Rainbow Room of the Quaker Meeting House (38 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow, G2 4PS).
The United Nations Treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons was adopted in July in New York. A Scottish Civil Society Team, including Scottish CND, and other Scottish partners in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons attended and participated.
This will be a participative meeting, so following a report back from those involved, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and raise issues.

UNFOLD ZERO writes:  UNFOLD ZERO is working with our co-founding organisations, in particular Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND) and the Global Security Institute, for a diplomatic solution to the North Korea nuclear crisis We are also working to reduce the threat of a nuclear catastrophe in other regions (such as Europe and South Asia), and to advance United Nations initiatives and processes to achieve the global prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons.

1.’The increasing tensions and threat of military conflict over North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities makes a diplomatic solution of vital importance and highest priority,’ according to Alyn Ware, Global Coordinator for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND). In the United States, 64 members of the US House of Representatives have endorsed a letter to President Trump led by PNND members  John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Jim McGovern, reminding the President that military strikes without Congressional approval would violate the Constitution, and urging him to follow a diplomatic approach. In May 2010, a cross-party group of parliamentarians from Japan and South Korea proposed the negotiation of a North East Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone as a solution to the growing nuclear threat from North Korea. The group included a number of former Foreign Ministers as we as the current Foreign Minister Taro Kono, a Co-President of PNND at the time.                                                                                                                                                           2. (with Basle Peace office) August 12 is the United Nations International Youth Day. The theme this year is Youth Building Peace. One important way youth can help build peace is to promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons. August 12 is the United Nations International Youth Day. The theme this year is Youth Building Peace. One important way youth can help build peace is to promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons.

News from other organisations:                                                                                                   1. Los Alamos (brief) Bulletin 234: Los Alamos Study Group

2. ICAN  A.. UK and Ireland Mayors for Peace Briefing which outlines activity at last week’s Mayors for Peace General Conference in Japan. It should be of interest to disarmament NGOs and ICAN / NTR group members B. NFLA media release on the Nagasaki Appeal and Special Resolution from the 9th General Conference of Mayors for Peace. 

3. Bulletin of Atomic Scientists articles on the North Korea nuclear crisis.

4. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry

5. Labour CND has prepared two Contemporary Motions which they hope Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) will submit for debate at September’s Labour Party conference. You can download the motions from their web site.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 9th August 2017

STREET ACTIVITIES (please help if you can)
1. On Saturday12th August  Edinburgh CND will be leafleting from12 30 at the East End of Princes Street.
2. Scottish CND has received permission to hold stalls in Edinburgh on Fridays in August. The probable format is as follows. Please help if you are able:
i) set up table with some leaflets at far end of Princes Street across from Balmoral Hotel – formerly North British Hotel .
ii) run stall from 2 pm – 6 pm on Friday August 11 , Friday August 18 and Friday August 25
iii) as table and leafleting is running – do some collecting with cans.
iv) have space on stall for locally based groups to put literature and other materials on the stall (that they bring)
v) anyone who can be at the stall or rattle a collecting can on the designated dates – even for a short while will be most welcome
++++3. Next trip to Faslane Peacecamp will be on Wednesday 16th or 23rd. E-mail edinburghcnd@yahoo.com if you wish to go
 ++++4. Stop Press: Listen to Radio 4 Sunday, 9 am, ‘Broadcasting House’ on catch up. Bruce Kent and Rebecca Johnson talking about the current situation between America and North Korea.
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Today (9th August)  is the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. Last Sunday we remembered Hiroshima. CND reminds us that this is a time to reflect on the horrific consequences of nuclear weapons. It is also a chance to move our campaign forward. This year, the anniversary of the bombings is particularly poignant, as the UN has recently adopted a Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, which will be open for signature on 20th September. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days remind us of the importance of campaigning for a world free of nuclear weapons, and this treaty is a step towards that goal. CND, SCND and ECND are working to hold the government to account on this treaty, but we need everyone’s help.
ICAN has published a Parliamentary Pledge to try and get our elected representatives publicly supporting the treaty. I know Parliament is currently in recess but please spread it amongst your network so that campaigners have it in their toolbox: http://bit.ly/2uBHKR1
There is a short UK focused video linking the pledge with Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the UK so please spread it on social media.
++++++STOP PRESS from CND Donald Trump has threatened North Korea with “fire and fury like the world has never seen” as the world remembers the 72nd anniversary of the US atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. Carol Turner, CND vice chair, said:
“It’s Nagasaki Day today, when the world remembers the US atomic bomb that hit a Japanese city unleashing a fire storm and winds of 9,000 miles an hour and killing 100,000 people. “It beggars belief that the US president has chosen the 72nd anniversary to threaten North Korea with ‘fire and fury like the world has never seen’. These words mark the real possibility of a nuclear confrontation. “Trump’s outrageous statement in the present climate cannot be interpreted as simply words. He has ratcheted up international tensions, already high, taking the world closer to nuclear warfare than we’ve been for many years.
“The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament condemns Trump’s comments and we call on the British government to take swift action to de-escalate this terrifying crisis before it’s too late.”
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OTHER EVENTS.
1. Origami Cranes Workshops Saturdays in August 2-4pm at the peace and Justice Centre 5 Upper Bow, EH1 2JN
2. CAAT Drumming workshops.We know your drumming itch is getting worse and worse since last week’s workshop had to be cancelled due to adverse weather.
Since many of us are either at the demonstrations against the Israeli government funded Festival of Shalom (see https://www.commonspace.scot/ articles/11435/yvonne-ridley- israels-dark-arts-are-play- edinburgh-nicola-sturgeon- should-be-wary for more info) or out of town, you will have to build up your drumming muscles in other ways for one more week and on the 15 August we can finally hit things with a stick together again. You know what I mean!
So far it looks like next weekend and the start of next week will be dry, so fingers crossed we’ll have the weather on our side. Some drizzle won’t matter as we’ll be sheltered by the Pavilion Café again!
So see you on Tuesday 15 August 2017, 6.30-9pm at the Pavilion Café in the Meadows, for the final collaborative drumming workshop with RoR and CAAT!

3.Glasgow: Info workshop and Nonviolent Direct Action Training around the DSEI Arms Fair 11am-5pm Sat 12th August 2017 CALL OUT to take part in the No to Nuclear Blockade of the DSEI Arms Fair on Wednesday 6th September 2017, Excel Centre London.
Trident Ploughshares invite you to a day of information on the DESI Arms Fair and Non-Violent Direct Action Training on Saturday 12th August 2017 in Glasgow. The info session and training will take place at Glasgow Autonomous Space. 11am-12.30pm: Info on the DSEI Arms Fair and Stop The Arms FairWeek Of Action against it. 12.30-1pm snacks and tea (please bring something to share) 1pm-5pm NVDA Training The call-out is with a view to invite Scottish participants to the No to Nuclear blockade day of the DSEI Arms Fair on Wednesday 6th September. Please come along even if you are unsure but would like to know more. There will be no pressure to sign up and NVDA Trainings are always fun and interesting! For those who do wish to participate, Trident Ploughshareswill be working with Yorkshire CND and others to facilitate the No to Nuclear Day of Action, travel and crash space near London. To register for the training or for more information email: leonnaoneill@gmail.com

4. Plays at the Fringe: (a) an anti-nuclear lawyer suspiciously dying in an accident
1 year post Hilda Murrell @ New Town Theatre,  Freemasons Hall in Hill Street.3,000 Trees Death of Mr William Macrae is about an anti-nuclear man who died in suspicious circumstances a year after Hilda Murrell from6th August at 14.50 daily. (b) Worth catching if you missed it last month (same venue) http://www.developingartists.org.uk/our-projects/and-here-i-am:-palestine
(c) STUC women’s Committee recommend  story of Edith Rigby Suffragette & advocate of workers’ rights, education for all  (d) https://www.eif.co.uk/2017/spiritofunity#.WZCazK2ZOb-
5. Ban Treaty Working Group  NEXT MEETING. 5th September at 4 p.m. in SCND offices in Glasgow. Minutes of the August meeting are available.
We are hoping that our September Open meeting will be a report back from the Ban Treaty conference. Watch this space.
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A POEM
Nagasaki: Midori’s Rosary – a poem by Rowan Williams

The air is full of blurred words. Something
has changed in the war’s weather. The children
(whose children will show me this) have been sent
to the country. In the radiology lab,
Takashi fiddles, listening to the ticking bomb
in his blood cells, thinks, once, piercingly,
of her hands and small mouth, knotting him in
to the long recital of silent lives
under the city’s surface, the ripple of blurred Latin,
changing nothing in the weather of death and confession,
thinks once, in mid-morning, of a kitchen floor, flash-frozen.

When, in the starburst’s centre,
the little black mouth opens, then clenches,
and the flaying wind smoothes down the grass
and prints its news black on bright blinding
walls, when it sucks back the milk
and breath and skin, and all the world’s vowels
drown in flayed throats, the hard things,
bone and tooth, fuse into consonants of stone,
Midori’s beads melt in a single mass
around the shadow with its blackened hands
carved with their little weeping lips.

Days earlier, in Hiroshima, in what was left
of the clinic chapel, little Don Pedro, turning
from the altar to say, The Lord be with you,
heard, suddenly, what he was about to claim,
seeing the black lips, the melted bones,
and so, he said, he stood, his small mouth
open, he never knew how long, his hands
out like a starburst, while the dialogue
of stony voiceless consonants ground across
the floor, like gravel in the wind, and the two
black mouths opened against each other,

Nobody knowing for a while
which one would swallow which.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 2nd August 2017 (with special post on 6th)

On Sunday, people around the world will gather to mark 72 years since nuclear bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. CND groups will be meeting across the country to show that we have not forgotten those who died as a result of the nuclear attacks and we are working to ensure it never happens again.
1. Edinburgh CNDs annual event to remember the tragic dropping of a Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 6th August 6-7pm at the Mound Precinct/Princes Street. We will be near the National Gallery on the ‘busker pitch’ closest to Princes Street. 
All invited. Music, Candles, Crane-making, Speeches, Poems, Banners. Bring umbrellas just in case! 
 https://www.facebook.com/events/1506560019405375/?
 +++++++++see also special addition at end
2. On Saturday12th August (3 days after Nagasaki anniversary) we will be leafleting from12 30 at the East End of Princes Street.
 
The Basle Peace Office and UNFOLD ZERO are  encouraging  the use of new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (‘ban treaty’) and the upcoming United Nations High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament to promote nuclear abolition on Hiroshima Day and August 9 Nagasaki Day. For updates and actions and more information see:
Also sign the ATOM Project online petition calling for a nuclear-weapon-free world. Over 300,000 have endorsed so far. Let’s get to 1/2 a million.
For other Hiroshima Commemoration events in Scotland see: 
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EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
 1.The ‘War on Terror’ In An Era Of Crisis: A Critical Response
 August 5th Venue. For details of this and other events see previous post.
2.Planning meeting for the Edinburgh World Justice Festival 9th August 5pm Peace and Justice Centre. This years Festival runs from 30th September to 16th October and Edinburgh CNDs event is on Wednesday 11th October.
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NEWS FROM CND:
1. Peace campaigners have responded to the High Court’s decision to block a bid to prosecute Tony Blair over the Iraq War. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
“Today’s decision by the High Court to block an attempt to prosecute Tony Blair for his role in the Iraq war is hugely disappointing and means justice has been left undone.
 “Last year’s Chilcot report showed that Tony Blair had no respect for cabinet procedure, no respect for Parliament, and no respect for international law.
 “Iraq was devastated by the war Blair led Britain into, millions of innocent Iraqis were killed, British soldiers were killed, and terrorism has spread across the Middle East.
 “Chilcot revealed the evidence that must now be used to bring Tony Blair to justice.
 “Only when justice is served can we prevent disasters like the Iraq war from happening again.”
2..This September, CND is supporting a conference taking place in York that will bring together health professionals and peace activists to debate, educate and advocate for social justice and demilitarisation.
As well as addressing plenaries on day one of the conference, CND will lead a workshos on day three: Campaigning against Trident in Parliament, parties and civil society.
The full programme can be found on the Medact web site, where you can also register for tickets.
3. A government watchdog has given a ‘red alert’ after another part of the government’s Trident replacement scheme ran over budget.
Although the government’s own figures include a contingency fund, it’s clear that we will soon reach a point where the cost of Trident surpasses £205 billion.
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PUBLICATIONS:
1. The latest edition of Nuclear Free Scotland is available from SCND http://www.banthebomb.org
2. The August 2017 edition of CND’s Campaign magazine. It has all the information you need on the global nuclear weapon ban treaty adopted at the UN, as well as the upcoming arms fair in London.  Read the magazine Download a copy
3. The August/September Peace and Justice News is out: http://peaceandjustice.org.uk/
4. The latest edition of nuClear News – No.98 August 2017 – is now available for downloading here:
www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo98.pdf
5. LOS ALAMOS: Bulletin 233: Please take action: Congress, White House, nuclear industry renew effort to store, process, and dispose of various nuclear wastes in New Mexico and Nevada                                                                                                                     6. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry
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SPECIAL POST ON 6th: On this day, 72 years ago, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan – the first use of the most terrible weapons in human history. The bomb is estimated to have killed between 100,000 and 180,000 people, and devastated the city. The horrific results of this attack did not, however, prevent an order to drop an even more powerful atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki three days later. In two blinding flashes of light, the cities were destroyed.

Edinburgh CND is remembering the victims of these attacks today: 6th August 6-7pm at the Mound/Princes Street (buskers spot near National Gallery). See http://www.banthebomb.org for other Scottish events.

This year, the anniversary of the bombings is particularly poignant, as the UN has recently adopted a Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, which will be open for signature on 20th September. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days remind us of the importance of campaigning for a world free of nuclear weapons, and this treaty is a step towards that goal.

August 6
city of 300,000
can we forget that silence?
in that stillness
the powerful appeal
of the white eye sockets of the wives and children who did not
return home
that tore apart our hearts
can it be forgotten?

TŌGE Sankichi, translated by Karen Thornber