Coming Up: International Day of Peace Countdown and New Mexico Events

June 19, 2009

On June 13, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon issued a statement announcing a 100-day countdown toward the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2009. The International Day of Peace is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence and provides a perfect opportunity to address the issue of nuclear disarmament and the hope for a nuclear weapons -free world. The Secretary General stated, "It is a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war and the benefits of peacefully resolving our disputes. This year, I will use this important day to ask governments and citizens of the world to focus on the important issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation."

The UN plans to issue 100 reasons to disarm, by such means as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, email, radio, and friend-to-friend. The overall message, to be proclaimed as the UN meets in New York on September 21st, is "WMD, or We Must Disarm!"

The Secretary General said, "Unless we vigorously work for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we will continue to face threats from existing nuclear weapons, as well as additional risks that more States, even terrorists, might acquire and deploy such weapons, potentially annihilating millions of people." To read the full statement, please visit www.un.org/sg/peacedaymessage2009.shtml

A number of events are planned for New Mexico that support of a nuclear weapons-free world. Please mark your calendars.

Beginning on July 5, the Trinity Nuclear Abolitionists will trek from Los Alamos National Laboratory to the White Sands Missile Range, in an interfaith walk for peace and nuclear safety. It is called the "Trinity to Trident Peace Walk for Mother Earth," which will commemorate the July 16th Trinity Test in 1945 and the Church Rock Uranium Spill in 1979. For more information, visit www.ttt.lovarchy.org

On Friday, July 31, the Twentieth Anniversary of Tewa Women United will be celebrated in a Benefit Indigenous Concert featuring Larry Mitchell, Shelly Morningsong, Indigie Femme and Joy Harjo at the James A. Little Theater in Santa Fe. The proceeds will benefit Tewa Women United and the annual Gathering for Mother EARTH, scheduled for September 26 and 27. For more information, please visit www.tewawomenunited.org

Also coming up is the Think Outside the Bomb National Conference in Albuquerque. Taking place from August 13th through August 16th, Think Outside the Bomb (TOTB) brings together young people to share resources, strategize collaboratively, and build a widespread movement for nuclear disarmament. TOTB participant and organizer Jennifer Nordstrom said, "TOTB is a helluva lot more fun than nuclear holocaust. Come hang out with other rad world-savers. We'll teach you to spin on your head. Or at least what is in the Bomb-plex." To get involved, visit their website at www.thinkoutsidethebomb.org

The Seventh Indigenous Uranium Forum, scheduled for October 22 through 24 at the Sky City Hotel at Acoma Pueblo, will focus on leaving uranium in the ground. For more information, please call 505 726-9392.

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