8-3-05,10:55am
August 6 and 9, 2005 mark the 60th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. United for Peace and Justice urges you to join with thousands of people at four central U.S. nuclear weapons sites to call for an end to the development and production of nuclear warheads. There are also local activities planned in scores of cities around the nation.
In Iraq, they never found nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, yet the daily reality of death and annihilation continues, sparked by the Bush administration's invasion and fueled by the ongoing U.S. military occupation. A majority of people in this nation now oppose the war, but the White House and most members of Congress are resisting the only solution to the crisis: bring the troops home immediately.
This year, the 60th anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki also coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act on August 3, 2005. Ensuring our basic voting and civil rights is at the heart of keeping our democracy alive and healthy. A vibrant democracy with open public debate is essential to keep U.S. power in check. Given that U.S. power is directly expressed and projected through its possession and threat to use nuclear weapons, the links between democracy, power and nuclear weapons becomes clear. Click here to read a statement drafted by in February 1999 that addresses these crucial links.
United for Peace and Justice encourages those of you in driving distance of Atlanta, GA to participate in a demonstration organized by the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition on Saturday, August 6th. The march and rally will bring together people from all walks of life in a call for Congress to re-authorize key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that will expire in 2007. Visit the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to learn more about the August 6th demonstration in Atlanta, Georgia.
And wherever you are this weekend...in Atlanta, at one of the four regional anti-nuclear protests, at a local demonstration...we hope you will use this as an opportunity to help spread the word about the Sept. 24 - 26 antiwar mobilization in Washington, DC. Momentum is building for what promises to be an historic gathering, but each time people come together we must make sure they know about the Sept. plans. Please check the UFPJ web site for leaflets and organizing materials you can download and use this weekend.
Finally, we again thank all of you who have made generous donations to UFPJ and we again ask those of you who can to take a moment right now to give us the support we need to keep doing this work. Click here to make a one time donation or to sign on to o or to sign on to our sustainer program. Every penny you donate is immediately put to work! Thanks so much.
