Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Author: NAPF

  • Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Heads to DC

    Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Heads to DC

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    Sandy Jones: (805) 965-3443; sjones@napf.org

    NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION HEADS TO D.C.

    30TH ANNUAL ALLIANCE FOR NUCLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY “DC DAYS” aims to enhance global security

    Santa Barbara–Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (Napf) , will be in Washington, D.C. from May 20 to 23 pressing federal policy makers to increase global security by cutting dangerous nuclear weapons production programs.

    DC Days brings together activists from 20 states across the country. The meeting is organized by the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA). This year Napf’s newest summer intern, Kate Fahey, will join Wayman at DC Days, raising her voice for the first time on a national stage to lobby representatives regarding nuclear weapons policy.

    Wayman commented about some important priorities going into DC Days, “We’ll meet with dozens of members of Congress, committee staffers, and administration officials responsible for U. S. nuclear policies.” Wayman continued, “The U.S. is in the midst of a $1.25 trillion, 30-year spending spree to completely rebuild its nuclear arsenal and production infrastructure. That’s $80,000 per minute for the next thirty years. These weapons have one purpose: to kill millions of people. Our elected officials have a responsibility to stop supporting the development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction. Getting them to act on that responsibility is what DC Days will be about this year.”

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, a non-profit headquartered in Santa Barbara, has been a strong and steady voice in the struggle to abolish nuclear weapons for 35 years. Their work provides hope and inspiration that a peaceful world is possible.                                                                                   

     #        #         #

    If you would like to interview Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations, please call the Foundation at (805) 965-3443. Photos of Rick Wayman and Kate Fahey are below.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations. For more information, visit wagingpeace.org.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_global id=”13042″]

  • Press Release: Minuteman III Missile Test Launched from Vandenberg

    Press Release: Minuteman III Missile Test Launched from Vandenberg

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    Sandy Jones: (805) 965-3443; sjones@napf.org

    Minuteman III Missile Test Launched from Vandenberg Early Monday Morning

    U.S., North Korea summit just one month away – what message does missile test send?

    Kwajalein Atoll
    The U.S. fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

    Vandenberg–The U.S. tested a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a mock nuclear warhead early Monday morning at 1:23 AM (PDT). from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The U.S. typically conducts three to four ICBM tests each year. Monday’s test comes less than a month prior to the high-stakes summit between the U.S. and North Korea that is aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

    What kind of message is the U.S. sending to North Korea with this latest launch when these are the same class of missiles for which the U.S. has been highly critical of the North Koreans for developing and testing?

    David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, commented, ”When it comes to ballistic missile tests, the U.S. continues to operate on a hypocritical double standard. Its own missile tests and those of its allies are treated as necessary and business-as-usual, while the missile tests of non-allied countries are treated as provocative and dangerous. What the world needs is a single standard aimed at ending the nuclear arms race and achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.  It also needs U.S. leadership rather than U.S. hypocrisy.”

    One month ago, Kim Jong-un suspended nuclear and missile tests in North Korea and stated that he will shut down the site where the previous six nuclear tests had been conducted. One cannot help but view this as a sign of good faith on the part of North Korea heading into the negotiations with the United States. As its own sign of good faith, the U.S. should also cancel all its planned ballistic missile tests prior to its summit meeting with North Korea.

    #        #         #

    If you would like to interview David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation or Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations, please call the Foundation at (805) 965-3443.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations. For more information, visit wagingpeace.org.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_global id=”13065″]

  • Trump Withdraws U.S. from Iran Nuclear Deal: There Will Be Negative Consequences

    Trump Withdraws U.S. from Iran Nuclear Deal: There Will Be Negative Consequences

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    Sandy Jones: (805) 965-3443; sjones@napf.org

    Washington, D.C.–Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran Nuclear Accord is a dangerous move and will have major international consequences. The U.S. is preparing to reinstate the sanctions it had waived as part of the nuclear accord and impose additional economic penalties as well.

    The decision to withdraw from the treaty:

    1. Makes it more likely Iran will pursue nuclear weapons.
    2. Makes war between the U.S. and Iran more likely.
    3. Separates the U.S. from its major allies.
    4. Shows U.S. commitments are not reliable.
    5. Further reinforces lack of U.S. leadership in the world.
    6. Will likely have adverse effects on achieving nuclear deal with N. Korea.

    Trump’s decision puts America’s relations with its allies into new and uncertain territory. U.S. allies are committed to staying in the deal, thus raising the prospect of diplomatic and economic disputes as the U.S. reimposes stringent sanctions on Iran. Importantly, it also raises the potential for increased tensions with Russia and China, also parties to the agreement.

    The decision flies in the face of intense lobbying by European leaders who made numerous attempts to produce fixes to the deal that would satisfy Trump. Trump’s prior advisers had persuaded him twice last year not to go this route. However, his newest set of considerably more hawkish advisers, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, did not act to restrain Trump this time around.

    David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation commented, “This may be the worst foreign policy decision of our time. It vividly demonstrates the downsides to having a U.S. president who is an incompetent bully. He appears more intent on punishing Iran than on maintaining a well-worked out deal, supported by our major allies, to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. This is yet another reason that there is urgency to impeach Mr. Trump.”

    #   #   #

    If you would like to interview David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation or Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations, please call the Foundation at (805) 965-3443.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations. For more information, visit wagingpeace.org.

  • Minuteman III Missile Test Launched from Vandenberg: Poor timing and lack of transparency send wrong message

    Santa Barbara – The United States launched a Minuteman III Ballistic Missile this morning at approximately 5:26 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base. There was little prior notice from military officials regarding this latest test. Civilians and residents living near the base, who regularly receive ample notice of missile tests, were left in the dark this morning as the missile raced through the early morning sky.

    The U.S typically conducts three or four ICBM tests each year. These are the same class of missiles for which the U.S. has been highly critical of the North Koreans for developing and testing. David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, upon hearing of the launch stated, “When it comes to missile testing, the U.S. operates on a clear double standard. If the U.S. wants other countries to stop their missile tests, it should lead by example.”

    This test is particularly disappointing because it was conducted just over a day in advance of the planned summit of the leaders of North and South Korea. This summit will be the third inter-Korean summit and the first of its kind in eleven years. Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations at the Foundation, commented, “It’s very disappointing that the United States chose to test an ICBM today, just days before the long-awaited summit between Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in. If we expect North Korea to cease developing and testing ICBMs, the least the U.S. could do is cease testing it’s own ICBMs while these delicate negotiations proceed.”

    This latest missile test demonstrated uncharacteristic secrecy by the U.S. Air Force in that it gave little advance notice of the test. There are many good reasons to notify residents in the area of the launch and also to notify other nuclear-armed nations to assure them that it is a test launch and not an actual attack.

    Krieger further commented, “In addition to checking the reliability of the hardware and training missile crews to launch it, missile launches also send messages. In this case, the message is, ‘We are powerful enough and arrogant enough to use these missiles if you don’t do what we wish.’ If we want to create a peaceful world, that’s entirely the wrong kind of message to send.”

    #   #   #

    If you would like to interview David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation or Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations, please call the Foundation at (805) 965-3443.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations. For more information, visit wagingpeace.org.

  • As 2018 Winter Games Begin, Activists Call on U.S. to Respect the Olympic Truce

    For Immediate Release

    Contacts:
    Rick Wayman, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: rwayman@napf.org, (805) 696-5159
    Kevin Martin, Peace Action: kmartin@peace-action.org, (301) 537-8244

    Washington, DC – As the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games began on Friday, February 9, over 100 activists from around the United States sent an open letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis, calling on him to respect the Olympic Truce by postponing provocative nuclear-capable missile tests.

    The letter states, “Regardless of advance planning of such tests, it is essential to global security that the United States be flexible and respect worthwhile initiatives for peace such as the Olympic Truce.”

    According to Capt. Anastasia Schmidt of Air Force Global Strike Command, two tests of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles were scheduled for February 2018. On February 5, Vandenberg Air Force Base announced that a Minuteman III test would take place on the night of February 6 or early morning of February 7. The test was then quietly canceled, with no new date announced.

    The open letter commends the decision to cancel the February 6/7 test, and calls on Secretary Mattis “to act swiftly to postpone any additional nuclear-capable missile tests scheduled during the period of the 2018 Olympic Truce, which lasts through March 25.”

    The Olympic Truce officially began on February 2, one week before the start of the games. Even earlier, the spirit of the truce showed its potential, as North and South Korea re-opened important lines of communication after years of no official dialogue, and agreed to a joint display of unity at the opening ceremony of the games.

    The letter urges Sec. Mattis to do his part to allow this positive momentum to play out:

    “If North Korea were to test an ICBM during the Olympics, many nations, including the United States, would view the act as provocative and threatening. One does not have to stretch the imagination too far to guess how North Korea might react to our testing of ICBMs during the same period.”

    *****

    To read the full letter along with the list of signatories, click here.

  • Press Release: 2018 Nuclear Posture Review Released

    NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    Rick Wayman
    (805) 696-5159; rwayman@napf.org

    Sandy Jones
    (805) 965-3443; sjones@napf.org

     

    2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review Released

    Trump administration plan calls for smaller nuclear weapons, making nuclear war far more likely.

     

    February 2, 2018 –The 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), released today, represents a reckless realignment of an already dangerous U.S. nuclear policy.

    The review specifically calls for the development of new, low-yield nuclear weapons that have lower explosive force. Many experts warn that such smaller weapons would blur the distinction between nuclear and non-nuclear weapons, representing a significant and dangerous increase in the likelihood of their use.

    Rick Wayman, Director of Programs at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, stated, “Once nuclear weapons – of any size – are introduced into an armed conflict, no one can guarantee that the cycle of escalation would end. The terrifying reality is that nuclear weapons can end human civilization as we know it. Every person on the planet should be outraged that the Trump administration threatens their future in this way.”

    In another important policy shift, the Trump Nuclear Posture Review would permit the U.S. to use nuclear weapons to respond to a wide range of non-nuclear attacks on the United States, including cyber attacks and attacks on American infrastructure. The review seeks to deter nuclear war by making it easier to start nuclear war.

    Last year, the price tag for a 30-year makeover of the U.S. nuclear arsenal was estimated at $1.2 trillion. Analysts say the expanded plan put forth in the Trump NPR review would push the cost vastly higher.

    Just last week, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to two minutes before midnight. This is thirty seconds closer to the metaphorical “point of annihilation” and is the closest to midnight the clock has been since the end of the Cold War. Clearly The Trump Doctrine is equivalent to winding the Doomsday Clock in the wrong direction.

    The review does not contain a single reference to Article VI of the U.N. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which obligates the U.S. and the other nuclear-armed nations signatories to the treaty to negotiate in good faith for nuclear disarmament. This posture review signals such a radical and dangerous shift in U.S. nuclear policy direction NATO states will be forced to re-evaluate their positions to not automatically accept and support the U.S. in this changed nuclear policy.

    World leaders now face a clear choice: support the Trump Doctrine and lock the world into a likely nuclear war, or join the rational world in moving towards the elimination of all nuclear weapons. The world’s international security framework must not rely on nuclear weapons.

    David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation said, “The prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons is the only rational choice. World leaders must now take the right step and sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that opened for signatures at the United Nations on September 20, 2017. By doing so, they would lead the world away from almost certain annihilation and toward the worthy goal of eliminating nuclear weapons and creating a safer and more secure world for all of humanity.”

    #                             #                             #

    If you would like to interview David Krieger or Rick Wayman, please call (805) 696-5159.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations. For more information, visit www.wagingpeace.org.

     

  • NAPF and 1Million Meditators Join Efforts for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament

    Media Contact:
    Marcy Clark
    Marcy@marcyclarkpr.com
    212.729.9619

    Media Alert:

    THE NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION AND 1MILLION MEDITATORS JOIN EFFORTS FOR PEACE AND NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

    Invite Global Community to Join the #WagingPeaceCampaign with 5 Action Steps to Prevent Nuclear War

    November, 20th, 2017 – The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, a non-profit that is a foremost advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons is launching the #WagingPeaceCampaign as part of their efforts to empower peace leaders worldwide. A partner organization in ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) the group is proud to be one of the joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

    Fresh from a successful meeting with the Pope at the Vatican, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s first wide-scale action in the #WagingPeaceCampaign will be to engage with conscious and spiritual communities and leaders worldwide, beginning with 1Million Meditators. 1Million Meditators held their first Global Meditation on September 23rd, 2017; their goal was to reach 10,000 participants and they were thrilled that over 72,000 souls came together with the shared vision of “Love Ourselves & the Planet”. This Saturday, Nov. 25th this joint effort is aiming to reach 100,000 participants worldwide who will meditate for peace: “Peace in our hearts & peace for the planet.”

    1Million Meditators  will host an interactive online Q&A with Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Director Rick Wayman on Tuesday November 21st at 3pm EST on the 1Million Meditators Facebook page.

    Nuclear Age Peace Foundation members and conscious individuals everywhere are invited to join 1Million Meditators on November 25th, 2017 for a Global Peace Meditation taking place in various cities around the globe. To participate with a group or as an individual please join at 1MillionMeditators.com

    Participants are encouraged to engage in the #WagingPeaceCampaign in the following ways, with creativity and leadership encouraged:

    1. Sign the Petition to Restrict The First Use of Nuclear Weapons and US Citizens can also write to their government representatives in one easy step.
    2. Join the #WagingPeaceCampaign – Share these 5 action steps on social media and about what Peace means to you.
    3. Meditate for Peace – Gather in person or online to participate in Mediations for Peace. Envision positive actions and feel into the heart-warming effects of building a more peaceful world.
    4. Host a Peace Party – A Peace Party can look like whatever inspires peace in your life: a mindfulness experience, making art for peace, authentic relating games, practicing non-violent communication, phone banking, letter writing to your representatives and even volunteering together. Make sure to include a moment for guests to sign the Petition and include it in your event’s promotional materials.
    5. Educate Yourself – The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (www.wagingpeace.org) is one of 450 ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) partner organizations that are being honored this year with the Nobel Peace Prize. They have a wealth of knowledge and research available to share.

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation was founded in 1982. Its mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. The Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations and is comprised of over 80,000 individuals and groups worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age.

    NAPF is a proud Partner Organization of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

    Read President David Krieger’s short article, “What is the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation?” to learn more about the organization, its mission and impressive history.

  • The World Loses a Hero in Tony de Brum, Former Foreign Minister of the Marshall Islands and Staunch Nuclear Weapons Abolitionist

    Tony de BrumTony de Brum, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), passed away on August 22, 2017. He was a powerful and inspiring voice for the abolition of nuclear weapons as well as climate sanity. He was a visionary leader, respected and admired throughout the world for his strength, wisdom, warmth and unceasing optimism.

    Born in 1945, de Brum was one of the first Marshall Islanders to graduate from college. He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the first compact of free association between the U.S. and the RMI, and participated in the development of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

    Between the years 1946 and 1958, the U.S. used the Marshall Islands as a nuclear testing ground, detonating 67 nuclear and thermonuclear weapons in the atmosphere and under the waters of this small island nation. Tony de Brum was a “nuclear witness” to many of them.

    As a nine-year-old boy living on Likiep Atoll at the time of the Castle Bravo nuclear test – an explosion 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, de Brum remembered, “Bravo went off with a very bright flash, almost a blinding flash; bear in mind we were almost 200 miles away from ground zero. No sound, just a flash and then a force, the shock wave – as if you were under a glass bowl and someone poured blood over it. Everything turned red: sky, the ocean, the fish, my grandfather’s net. People in Rongelap claim they saw the sun rising from the West.”

    De Brum worked selflessly throughout his life for the people of the Marshall Islands. Eventually, his vision and efforts for peace, justice and a world without nuclear weapons extended to people everywhere.

    “Tony and I first met at the University of Hawaii in the mid 1960s. We reconnected later when Tony was an official of the RMI and we were both working to abolish nuclear weapons,” said David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF). “I was impressed by his commitment to go beyond his island nation and play a leadership role in ending the nuclear weapons era.”

    In 2012, NAPF honored de Brum with its Distinguished Peace Leadership Award for his exceptional efforts on behalf of the Marshall Islands victims of nuclear testing. De Brum accepted the award in Santa Barbara at the Foundation’s annual Evening For Peace. This led to further collaboration with de Brum and brainstorming about what meaningful steps could be taken to awaken the world to the need for nuclear abolition.

    In 2014, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, led by Minister de Brum, filed the Nuclear Zero Lawsuits in the International Court of Justice, landmark cases against the nine nuclear-armed nations “for failing to comply with their obligations under international law to pursue negotiations in good faith for the worldwide elimination of nuclear weapons.” NAPF was a consultant to the RMI on the cases, working side by side with de Brum and a pro bono legal team for more than four years. Krieger noted, “Tony demonstrated courage and integrity in his willingness to hold the nine nuclear-armed nations to account in fulfilling their legal obligations to rid the world of nuclear weapons. These lawsuits would never have occurred without the courage of Tony de Brum.”

    In 2015, De Brum and the people of the Marshall Islands received the Right Livelihood Award “in recognition of their vision and courage to prosecute nuclear powers that do not respect their disarmament obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” De Brum and the Marshall Islanders were voted “2016 Arms Control Persons of the Year” by the Arms Control Association. Lastly, Minister de Brum and the Marshall Islanders were nominated for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

    De Brum was also well known in international circles for his strong advocacy for curtailing climate change, which disproportionally affects small island states like the RMI. He spoke on these issues at the United Nations and was the keynote speaker for the Seventh Regional Conference on Island Sustainability last year in Guam.

    Throughout his life, Tony de Brum never wavered from his commitment to abolish the weapons that damaged his country and its people, and continues to threaten all of humanity. He showed the world that even a leader from a tiny island nation, with vision and persistence, could have significant global impact.

    Tony de Brum was a warrior for peace, disciplined and committed to overcoming all obstacles on the path to a better world. He will be sorely missed, but his words will continue to inspire: “We will never give up. We have a voice that will not be silenced until the world is rid of all nuclear weapons.”

    # # #

    To read Tony de Brum’s acceptance speech from the 2012 Evening For Peace, click here.
    To arrange an interview with David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, please contact Sandy Jones at sjones@napf.org or (805) 965-3443.

    About the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation:
    Founded in 1982, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders. The Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations and is comprised of individuals and groups worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. For more information, visit www.wagingpeace.org

  • U.S. to Launch Provocative Minuteman III ICBM Test

    Vandenberg Air Force Base – Amidst mounting tensions between the United States and

    North Korea, the U.S. has scheduled a Minuteman III ICBM missile test for Wednesday, August 2, between 12:01 a.m. and 6:01 a.m. PDT from Vandenberg Air Force Base. According to Air Force Global Strike Command, “The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the weapon system.”

    The missile test must be viewed as a direct response to the North Korean launch on Friday, July 28, of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) said to be capable of putting the U.S. mainland within striking range. The U.S. test will come on the heels of a U.S. missile defense test, launched on Sunday, July 30, from Alaska over the Pacific, in which a medium-range ballistic missile was detected, tracked and intercepted using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD). The U.S. also flew two supersonic B-1 bombers over the Korean Peninsula this last weekend as part of a joint exercise with Japan and South Korea.

    Vice President Pence, while traveling on Sunday, told reporters “all options are on the table.” He further said “The continued provocations by the rogue regime in North Korea are unacceptable, and the United States of America is going to continue to marshal the support of nations across the region and across the world to further isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically.”

    In “Averting the Ticking Time Bomb of Nukes in North Korea,” (The Hill, 5/30/17), David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and Richard Falk, Senior Vice President of the Foundation, posed the concept of a different kind of diplomacy. “It is time to abandon coercive diplomacy and develop an approach that can be described as restorative diplomacy. Coercive diplomacy relies on a zero/sum calculus consisting of military threats, sanctions, and a variety of punitive measures. Restorative diplomacy adopts a win/win approach that seeks to find mutual benefits for both sides, restructuring the relationship so as to provide security for the weaker side and stability for the stronger side. The challenge to the political imagination is to find the formula for translating this abstract goal into viable policy options.”

    It is significant to note that the missile tests by both countries come just three weeks after 122 nations gathered at the United Nations and formally adopted the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,” a treaty that categorically prohibits the possession, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Considered an historic step toward creating a safer and more secure world, the treaty expresses deep concern “about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons.” It further recognizes “the consequent need to completely eliminate such weapons, which remains the only way to guarantee that nuclear weapons are never used again under any circumstances.”

     

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:

    Sandy Jones: (805) 965-3443; sjones@napf.org

     

  • Marshall Islands Nuclear Zero Lawsuit Appeal To Be Heard in Ninth Circuit Court on March 15

    NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    Sandy Jones 805.965.3443; sjones@napf.org
    Rick Wayman 805.696.5159; rwayman@napf.org

     

    San Francisco–On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 9:00 AM, the appeal of the dismissal of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ case in the U.S. Federal District Court will be heard in the Ninth District Court of Appeals. The case, initially filed on April 24, 2014, alleges that the United States failed to uphold its legal obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and customary International law to begin negotiations “in good faith” for an end to the nuclear arms race “at an early date” and for nuclear disarmament.

    The suit contends that the United States has clearly violated its legal obligations to pursue nuclear disarmament by spending large sums of money to enhance its nuclear arsenal. The U.S. plans to spend an estimated $1 trillion on nuclear weapons over the next three decades and President Trump has said he wants to build up the U.S. nuclear arsenal to ensure it is at the “top of the pack,” saying the United States has “fallen behind in its nuclear weapons capacity.”

    The case was dismissed on February 3, 2015 on the jurisdictional grounds of standing and political question doctrine without getting to the merits of the case. David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and a consultant to the Marshall Islands in their lawsuit, stated, “We believe the Court of Appeals should reverse the decision of the lower court and allow the case to be heard on its merits. But, no matter the outcome of this appeal, the Marshall Islands has shown great leadership with their Nuclear Zero lawsuits. They are a small nation that has acted on behalf of all humanity.”

    Marshall Islanders suffered catastrophic and irreparable damages to their people and homeland when the U.S. conducted 67 nuclear tests on their territory between 1946 and 1958. These tests had the equivalent power of exploding 1.6 Hiroshima bombs daily for 12 years.

    The Marshall Islands does not seek compensation with this lawsuit. Rather, it seeks declaratory and injunctive relief requiring the United States to comply with its commitments under international law.

    For more information about the Nuclear Zero lawsuits, visit nuclearzero.org/in-the-courts

    Note to editor:  There will be a press conference outside the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals at approximately 12:00 PM. Laurie Ashton, lead council for the Marshall Islands; Pastor Julian Riklon of the Marshall Islands; Rick Wayman, Director of Programs and Operations at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; Jackie Cabasso, Executive Director, Western States Legal Foundation; Scott Yundt, Staff Attorney, Tri-Valley CAREs; and John Burroughs, Executive Director, Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, will be available for comment.

    #                                                                      #                                                          #

    The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation was founded in1982. Its mission is to educate and advocate for peace and a world free of nuclear weapons and to empower peace leaders.

    The Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with consultative status to the United Nations and is comprised of some 80,000 individuals and groups worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age.