Walk for the NPT!

The New England Peace Pagoda

Buddha’s Birthday

Sunday, May 30, 2010, 11:00am

Please Join Us for Celebration!

Ceremony, Speakers, Music and Lunch

100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, Massachusetts  01054

Telephone # (413-367-2202

Watch the plenary sessions live via web streaming. Go to http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/ at least 15 minutes before the plenary session start time and a link will be available for viewing the speakers and entertainment.

Organize viewing parties! Get a taste of what the mighty international movement for peace, nuclear abolition and justice is planning for building the movement and the path to a world free of nuclear weapons. For more information about the conference go to http://peaceandjusticenow.org/wordpress/

For people in New York City: a limited number of overflow seats are available for the plenaries and workshops. Registration for those seats opens at Riverside Church 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027-5788at 4 PM TODAY, April 30 and reopens at 9 AM Saturday, May 1.

Show times are : Go to http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/ at least 15 minutes before the plenary session start time and a link will be available for viewing the speakers and entertainment. Later, the sessions will be available on The Riverside Churches website on demand.
Friday 6:00 PM Plenary Session:

Terumi Tanaka – Testimony and Call for Abolition
Nadine Padilla – The Deadly Impact Of and Resistance To Uranium Mining
Ibrahim Ramey – Martin Luther King’s Dream and Ours
Zia Mian – Confronting the Challenges of Nuclear Weapons, Capitalism and Climate Change.
John Burroughs – Dangers and Opportunities: Nuclear Weapons and the NPT Review
Natalia Mironova – Complex Challenges of our Nuclear Legacy
Tomas Magnusson – Vision of a Nuclear Free World
Saturday 1:30 PM Plenary Session:

International Movement Voices: Challenges and Strategies
Performance: The Recipe
Maryam Shansab (Afghanistan)
J.N. Rao (India)
Pierre Villard (France)
Issam Makhoul (Israel)
Kevin Martin (US)
(Others to be announced)
Saturday, 7:00 PM Plenary Session:

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Socorro Gomes—President World Peace Council and of CeBraPaz “Threats to Peace and the NPT Review”
Mayor Akiba – Mayor of Hiroshima “Beyond Nuclear Weapons; A Call to Conscience”

–
Judith Le Blanc

Field Organizer
Peace Action & Peace Action Education Fund

http://www.peace-action.org/

NPT Coordinator
Peace Action Fund of NYS
www.panys.org

Office 646.723.1749
Cell 917.806.8775
Twitter judithleblanc
Skype jleblanc12

Published on Thursday, April 29, 2010 by CommonDreams.org
Three Days That Could Change the World – This Weekend in New York City!

by Judith LeBlanc and Kevin Martin

Barack Obama is undoubtedly the U.S. president most committed to nuclear disarmament since Kennedy. People all over the world have cheered President Obama’s commitment to move toward nuclear disarmament.

Yet the stark reality is U.S. and Russia maintain over 20,000 nuclear weapons, many of them on hair-trigger alert, ready to launch on a few minutes’ notice. Many are tens or hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, which leveled that city and killed over 140,000 people.

The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) agreement, while welcome, is a modest reduction, leaving the U.S. and Russia with over 1,500 deployed, long-range “strategic”, nukes, and thousands more “tactical”, short-range weapons and “reserve” nukes in storage. U.S. Senate ratification of New START, where 67 votes are required by the Constitution to approve treaties, may prove difficult, especially without conditions supporting modernization of the U.S. nuclear weapons complex that would undercut the treaty’s thrust and appear hypocritical to the rest of the world.

Criticism by some analysts that this treaty and other recent initiatives (the Congressionally-mandated Nuclear Posture Review and Nuclear Security Summit) are too modest or narrow does not diminish the president’s stature as a leader on nuclear weapons issues. It reflects the reality that he is a politician, pressured by many constituencies, many of whom do not share his vision of a world made more secure by scrapping nuclear weapons. The Dr. Strangeloves in the nuclear weapons establishment certainly have the president’s ear. Their influence needs to be countered by an engaged public in the U.S. and around the world.

We have the opportunity to do just that at the upcoming Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference (NPT RevCon), held every five years at the United Nations in New York.

The NPT is the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. It has three main tenets – disarmament, non-proliferation, and the development nuclear energy. Because of the dangers of catastrophic accidents like Chernobyl, the unsolved problem of storing and safeguarding nuclear waste and the potential that “peaceful” nuclear programs or materials can morph into weapons programs, nuclear energy should be replaced with safe, renewable, “green” energy sources.

Regarding nuclear weapons, the NPT review is a unique opportunity, yet one that comes at a moment of potential crisis. Concern over Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal and the possibility that Iran may seek a nuclear weapons capacity has spurred a renewed call for a Middle East Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone by countries in the region. If this is blocked at the NPT Review, there is concern that countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and others might seek nuclear weapons.

This is only one crucial non-proliferation issue requiring progress at the review conference. In the realm of disarmament, many non-nuclear countries are impatient with progress toward fulfilling the NPT’s Article VI, which calls for the original nuclear states (the Unites States, Russia, China, France and Great Britain) to disarm in exchange for the non-nuclear states forgoing nuclear weapons. The NPT became international law in 1970, so the impatience is understandable and warranted.

The NPT is the world’s most widely adhered-to treaty, with 186 signatory countries, but U.S. leadership is crucial. President Obama has a golden opportunity, and an obligation really, to make bold progress toward the global elimination of the world’s most deadly weapons.

He won’t do it alone, and he won’t be alone. In addition to the delegates from the member states, tens of thousands of people from around the world will gather in New York this weekend, just before the NPT RevCon opens. Events will include an international conference, rally, march and festival to demonstrate international civil society’s support for peace, disarmament and prioritizing human and environmental needs over nuclear weapons and war.

Three days that can change the world!

This weekend New York City, Peace Action, and international coalition organizing under the banner “Disarm Now! For Peace and Human Needs” and thousands of activists from around the world will take a stand against nuclear weapons with a groundbreaking conference on disarmament and a mass demonstration of global importance. The events are the culmination of an international petition campaign involving over 4 million people.

We call on you to stand with the Hibakusha, the survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Yoko Ono, LUSH Cosmetics, President Obama, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and peace and disarmament activists from countries around the globe to take action for a world free of nuclear weapons.

This week, international artist Yoko Ono urged participation in the three days of action on her website.

LUSH, the international organic cosmetics company, is supporting Peace Action and the international petition campaign calling upon President Obama to engage in “multilateral negotiations on an international agreement to abolish nuclear weapons, within our lifetimes.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will keynote the International Conference for Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World. Last fall, he said, “nuclear disarmament is the only sane path to a safer world.”

Last year, President Obama reminded the world that taking steps towards a world without nuclear weapons is a moral responsibility. Without action, organizing and protest, that moral responsibility will never be realized.

There is still time to help change history.

1) Be in Times Square at 1:30 PM on Sunday, May 2! Rally in Times Square (South of 41th Street on 7th Avenue) to call for No Nukes, No Wars, Fund Human Needs, Protect the Planet!

March to Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza at the UN with Hibakusha, people from the US who have been harmed by uranium mining and nuclear weapons testing, as well as peace activists and nuclear abolitionists from across the US and countries around the world.. Close the afternoon by participating in a dynamic International Peace & Music Festival from 4-6:00 PM.

2) Watch Live Web Streaming of International Conference for Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World, April 30 -May 1.

On the eve of the U.N. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join over 800 participants at historic Riverside Church in Manhattan to discuss the urgency of nuclear abolition and the new opportunities for disarmament.

The abolition of nuclear weapons and shifting the world’s resources from war planning to feeding, healing and housing the peoples of the world is what is needed in the 21st century. We must make it happen, in our lifetime.

Live Web Streaming

The conference is now at full capacity. We are working on the logistics for live web streaming of Ban Ki-moon’s address, and all the plenary speakers on Friday night and Saturday. Check www.peaceandjusticenow.org on Friday, April 30 for details.

Organize viewing parties in your area! Timing and list of plenary speakers are up on the peaceandjusticenow.org website.

Whether or not you can join us in New York this weekend, all people of conscience need to seize on (in the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) “the fierce urgency of now” in demanding peace, disarmament, social justice and environmental restoration.

Judith LeBlanc is the National Field Organizer and Kevin Martin is the Executive Director of Peace Action, the country’s largest peace and disarmament organization with 100,000 members. www.peace-action.org Peace Action is collaborating with U.S. and international allies on events surrounding the NPT Review Conference, more information is available at www.peaceandjusticenow.org

Saturday, May 1

9am – Leave West Bronx Recreation Center (Highbridge Community Life Center) (1527 Jesup Avenue, Bronx, NY) and walk to George Washington Bridge Transportation Center. W178th St and Broadway. 1.4 miles
(Each walker should pack and carry their lunch for the day)

9:50 – Meet Walkers from the Tennessee, Washington, DC and Buffalo, NY walks as they cross the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey.

10:30 – Walk process to Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr. New York City
 Down Broadway
 Turn Right at 122nd St/Seminary Row
 Turn left at Riverside Dr. 3 miles
12:30pm – Arrive at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr.
 Program at Church

6pm - Light Dinner for all Walkers in Park across the street from
Riverside Church

7pm – Attend Keynote Address by Ban Ki Moon – Secretary General of the United Nations

8:30pm – Return to West Bronx Recreation Center (Highbridge Community Life Center)

Sunday
8:30am – Walkers depart West Bronx Recreation Center for UN Church Center, 777 UN Plaza (corner 1st Ave and 44th Street) (Each walker should pack and carry their lunch for the day)

• Take subway to 125th and Lexington Ave.
• Walk 3 miles to Church Center
• Head east on 125th to 1st Avenue
• Walk south to 44th Street

11- 12pm - Monks and walkers have been invited to drum and chant outside Church Center

12 – 1pm Interfaith Convocation

1:30pm Assemble – 7th Avenue south of 41st Street for Rally and March

2:00pm - Rally

3:30pm - March across 42nd Street to United Nations

4-6pm International Peace and Music Festival in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza – 1st Ave and 47th Street.

Persons participating in the 2 day fast and vigil (May 3 and 4) must contact Tim Bullock, 413-485-8469, or walk4newspring@gmail.com for lodging information.

For more information on the International Conference at the Riverside Church, including the full list of presentations and workshops, or the Interfaith Convocation, go to www.peaceandjusticenow.org

Join with thousands from around the world for an International Day of Action. Bring your posters, your drums, your children and your neighbors to say to the world and the leaders who will come to the UN for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty:
 We want a Nuclear Free Future!
 Fund Human Needs, Not War!
 End the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan!
 Protect the planet instead of destroying it with war and nuclear proliferation

From Prague to Times Square: No Nukes, No Wars, Fund Human Needs, Protect the Planet!

In Prague, Presidents Obama and Medvedev signed the START treaty. A roadmap from Prague to nuclear abolition is needed now. The next city on that roadmap is New York City on Sunday, May 2, where the global movement for peace and disarmament will gather.

Thousands will fill Times Square on May 2 to let them and all the delegates gathering at the UN for the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference know: No Nukes, No Wars, Fund Human Needs, Protect the Planet.

In Times Square on Sunday, May 2, we will rally and march to the United Nations to bring the cause of ending the nuclear madness, wars and occupations before the public and to the top of the agenda for the world’s leaders! If not now, when?

Join us!

2 PM Rally in Times Square (south of 41st Street on 7th Avenue)

Speakers: Mayors Akiba and Taue of Hiroshima & Nagasaki; National Council of Churches General Secretary, Michael Kinnamon; Raed Jarrar, Iraqi blogger; Jose Vasquez of Iraq Veterans Against the War; Afghan-American peace activist Maryam Shansab, representatives from delegations from all over the world, plus music by Iraqi-American musician, Stephn Said; Kansas City rappers, The Recipe; and the swinging duo, Emma’s Revolution.

3:30 PM March across 42 Street to Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza for an International Peace and Music Festival. and International Peace and Music Festival.

Download a leaflet in English, Spanish or Korean to publicize the rally and march.

Find peace trains, buses, vans and car pools or post those you are organizing.

Sign the petition calling on President Obama to launch negotiations for nuclear weapons convention. It was done on chemical weapons and land mines!

Find out about other events in New York City during the weekend of April 30 –May 2.

For more information call: 646-723-1749

Activists in Amherst and Northampton joined the walk on April 19th.  They organized events throughout the day.  The day was titled “Walk for a World Without Weapons and War” and began with a ten mile walk from Amherst Common to Northampton City Hall, where they held a brief rally.  Below is a link to an article in the Gazette!

http://gazettenet.com/2010/04/20/procession-peace?SESSbb14a6abbe8a41a7d4a5d509d7d71c6e=gsearch

You’re invited (yes, definitely you) to come to Longfellow Park at 8:30am this morning in Cambridge, MA. The big Quaker Meetinghouse. We’re leaving to walk at 8:30, but if that feels too early for you then come to the Bandstand at 1:00pm for the ceremony to change the seal and motto of our state.

The seal features a native american man holding a shield, and a disembodied arm over his head holding a sword. Our motto is, “Peace through the sword, peace under liberty.”

As you many imagine, many people are offended and outraged that this has been the image they have had to live under for many years.

So come walk with us! Hope to see you today

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=107463855955548&ref=ts

Just another reminder for anyone in the Salem area; potluck tonight! Also in Boston on Saturday there’s going to be a huge ceremony to get the state seal changed. More information will be available soon.

Our first day in Maine

3/24/10
Woke to snow flakes falling gently. Tim drove us to Bethel Maine where we met up with a contingent of Mainers, among them Shelby, Christy, Karen, Jean, Grace, Molly, Maggie, Bruce & Tom. We set out under wet snow along the rushing Androscoggin river almost to the level of the road. Lisa Redmond met us with sandwiches in Locke’s mill and we walked on to the Molly Ocket motel where Betty had found us a beautiful space to eat. The owner, Tim, showed us the chimney he had made of minerals from all over the world – including the words “I am” in phosphorescant rock. Walked 12 miles and arrived in Norway to a warm welcome at the Norway Universalist Church where over 35 local friends turned out for a sumptuous pot luck, followed by a gatherng where we shared our purpose in undertaking this walk, and Bruce shared about the campaign to “Bring our war dollars home” – The amount of money spent by Maine alone to finance these “endless wars” that could go to lift up the people and restore the crumbling infrastructure at the gathering we were also blessed by a musical offering from Heather Pierson, the music director of the church and.. [Christian Collins]

3/25/10 Beautiful sunny day. We set out from Norway at 8:30 well fed by the Norway community. Walked several miles before shuttling to Minot and walking again. Stopped for lunch at Creative Trails an Organization/Center for adults with disabilities where participants create in various artistic mediums such as silk screen weaving, felting, and painting. We ate outside on their lovely purple picnic bench. Tasty bagged lunches prepared by the Norway community. We took off our shoes and rested in the warmth of the sun. Throughout lunch a few at a time we went into the center and met the artists, Karen, Dora and Chris. Chris had a laugh that knocked your socks off. Before we left, the artists and their facilitator Kelly came outside and joined us in prayer. We then walked many more miles ( little toes beginning to get tender) up more hills and down a few. We entered the city of Auburn, across the bridge into Lewiston crossing the Androscoggin river and admiring the cascading, falling water and the current that formed aeration patterns that looked like Rorschach tests. We met people walking across the bridge who expressed their curiosity about us and expressed support for our mission. We walked to a park in Lewiston, where we rested until it was time to meet with the Mayor of Lewiston, Larry Gilbert. Who welcomed us and shared remarkable stories about Dr. Bernard Lown, who has been a mentor for him. Mayor Gilbert worked hard to get the bridge between Lewiston and Auburn renamed the “Bernard Lown Peace Bridge.” The Mayor also told us about his difficulties in getting the city council of Lewiston to support him becoming a Mayor for peace. Although the council voted against this step he did it anyway!

Mayor Gilbert at Lewiston Episcopal Church

We went to the Trinity Episcopal Church where Rev. Steve Crowson greeted us. He told us about a program held in the church where more than 80 people are fed daily, used clothes are available, 20 to 30 children participate daily in activities (many are Somalis) and other services are provided. Wow! We shared a delicious dinner with members of the Church. Lots of Chicken for us Carnivores (a number of Maine Veterans for Peace where there and shared stories of how the national organization was founded in Auburn at Denny’s Restaurant). We went upstairs and shared a lovely program including an introduction to the Jesus Party Program that serves children promoting peace and preventing hate. Then we shared songs and blessings and hunkered down throughout the sanctuary to rejuvenate our bodies for the 19 mile walk to Brunswick. Amen! [Karen]

A great evening in Lewiston, Me.

Friday March 26th – Although the church at Lewiston was the most shabby, it was one of my favorite churches! This is because it is extremely busy! It feeds about 100 people a day, seven days a week. I loved the dining room. On the walls were signs that said, “Sit down, Be quiet, and Read!” The church was in a poor, rough, neighborhood, so I could imagine the need of the people – for food, guidance, homework assists, even clothes! And the dinner was excellent! Yummy spinach casserole with thick cream sauce. We were joined the next morning by 10 Peace Students of Doug (one of the founding members of Veterans for peace)’s from the University of Maine at Farmington. They had all taken Doug’s course on peace and recieved an email from him about the walk and had signed up, so they were walking on their own volition, not because they were made to walk for extra credit! They were great walkers all of them, and nice people as well. They mingled with everyone on the walk despite being young of age. The road from Lewiston to Bath took us up hills and up country roads and always always were we following the Androscoggin river which was swollen and overflowing. You’d see trees with lakes all around them. When Betty approached us saying we were welcome to take a break at the Elk Lodge I rejoiced because the break couldn’t have come soon enough.
At the Molly Ocket hotel we were greeted by a jolly man and his wife who had been married for 37 years. The wife gave us hot water for tea. Betty spread lunch all along the counter – bread and cheese, clementines – and the husband showed us his amazing fireplace which had every kind of rock in it from Maine’s famous tourmalines to rocks from every state in the nation. Some even lit up like neon signs when we turned on the lights. Maggie fortunately met us inside having sensibly taken a break from walking. She is an amazing 89 year old lady. A poet, a peacemaker, and a very real person. We all check on her constantly and she responds always with humor. Also on the walk is another 66 year old lady called Karen from Brunswick who is strong as an ox. She started her walk in Bethel, she feels like a sister to me, she is so nice! Also her friend, Jean, beautiful Jean with the beautiful shaded green eyeglasses matching the limegreen scarf. She is a very handsome woman, and also very warm and nice. And you’ll never guess how old she is, 77 years old! She was supposed to stop her walk in Brunswick, only she contintued her walk onto Freeport, just for the fun of it! My favorite lady is Sister Clare she is so pretty and she has the most incredible voice. She chants and sings when she walks, and I’ll never forget how kind she was to the Mayor of Lewiston when she thanked him from the bottom of her heart for greeting us so kindly in his office. The walk this day to Bath via Brunswick was a long one and so we stopped for lunch at Joey Graziano’s. A pizza place with a very English Tudor atmosphere. We sat down elegantly at a long dining table at a hushed atmosphere and the waitress brought us hot cheesy pizza! It went down the hatch well! Betty soon noticed that the waitress had a peace sign on her handbag, so it’s amazing how God works in mysterious ways to bring us to exactly the right people. This waitress had such a heart. As it wasn’t busy in the restaurant after we left she asked her boss if she could walk with us and he said yes. She walked with us all the rest of the way to Brunswick, can you imagine that? It was heaven when we finally got to the Brunswick Green and there was the blue truck with the white top and the silver van! We gathered around in a circle, a big circle because we were a large group that day, and gave our thanks for a safe trip. And we prayed for peace one more time. Then in an instant everybody found a car to get into and we were gone to Bath. Rev. Bill Bliss and about 5 members of his church greeted us at the door of the big modern church in Bath, the church looked like a lodge, it had a big fireplace and was warm and cozy. We were ushered into the dining room where Reverend Bliss had set the tables himself with candles and cloth napkins and table cloths and china. We proceeded to dine on the most spectacular food as someone said potluck dinners are the best. I remember a taste of black beans, corn, and cilantro. And there was the fish chowder that was ordered at the last minute. Reverend Bliss had even managed to take care of that. We had speeches and thanks and prayers for peace and then we got in cars, everybody hugging and kissing each other goodnight and goodbye even though we would be seeing each other the next morning. But we truly did love each other. The walk is not a walk at all, it is a house party where we spend a little bit of time with this person and a little bit of time with that person. I truly feel that I have met lifelong friends. Christy, Betty and I had the privilege of spending the night at Maggie’s house and what a house! Surrounded on three sides by the Kennebeck river, it sits on a promintory that is private and it is Maggie’s alone. We were so engrossed in tidying the van that we didn’t realize that Maggie wanted to go to bed. So Maggie came outside and said, “are you going to be staying out there all night?” The Kitchen had a fireplace and hand hewn beams, the floors were rustic barn door, the furniture was antique. In the morning the river shown through every window. Betty was a saint that evening and washed Maggie’s feet in hot water, poppped her blisters and wrapped her feet in moleskin. I envied her. Betty takes such good care of us. It should be said that Betty is amazing at her job. Before you ever know you have a need, Betty has filled it. She always thinks ahead, and she is a sweetheart. Over and over again we need to give our thanks to Betty for without her we’d surely be stuck out in the rain.
We slept like logs in real beds that night. Then in the morning we were able to take a long, hot shower, and didn’t we need to take showers! And the day before I was aware how salty my face was and during the walk from Lewiston to Bath – 19 miles – the temperature dropped. By afternoon everyone was extremely cold and chapped and rosy cheeked. The wind picked up too. The sun was out but it didn’t warm us enough. In the morning at Maggie’s house, Christie, Betty and I helped ourselves to Mayonnaise and Mustard in Maggie’s fridge. And when Maggie came downstairs followed by her three adoring cats, she found us sitting at the kitchen table peeling eggs, making deviled eggs for Brunch at Bruce’s house. In all it was a fantastic six days! (Shelby Nicholson)

Thank you all so much for a wonderful journey from Bethel, ME to Portland, ME!! This trip has truly opened my eyes and showed me how much love and energy is in this world!! Peace, Love & Happiness XOXO Christie (Long)

Joey and Robin Graziano. http://www.grazianoscasamia.com/

WALK FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE. Thursday, April 8, 3 p.m., Beverly-Salem bridge. Join Buddhist monks and local walkers for the Salem part of their walk to the U.N. Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. All invited to potluck supper at 6 p.m., discussion 7 p.m., at First Church in Salem, Unitarian, 316 Essex St., Salem. 978-740-9917.