Hundreds of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Events Show Support for Obama's Nuke Free World

Despite health care and the economy sucking much of the Nation's
political oxygen, hundreds of events will happen this week around the
dates of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where well over
220,000 people died from two, relatively small (compared to current
nuclear weapons) atomic bombs.

"With President Obama giving a historic speech in Prague earlier this
year that echoed campaign promises and articulated a plan towards a
'world without nuclear weapons,' these events show clear support from
the electorate for Obama to achieve his vision as soon as practicably
possible. Taking concrete steps like ratifying the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty, continued negotiations with Russia to reduce nuclear
stockpiles, securing nuclear weapons and materials and a clear movement
towards international negotiations ridding the world of nuclear weapons
will not only make Americans safer, but save us money in the long-term"
proclaimed, Paul Kawika Martin, the group's political director.

WHAT: Hundreds of events around the country this week to commemorate
the 64th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
by the United States during World War II. Some events will use an
international petition to President Obama asking that he announce at
the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference initiation
of good faith multilateral negotiations on an international agreement
for a world without nuclear weapons.

WHEN: August 6th and 9th, 2009. Events happening on other dates this week as well.

WHERE: Over 150 of the events have been registered in over 34 states online and can be searched or added to by visiting:

https://www.peace-action.org/nukes/campaigns/hndays

WHO: Organizers and local spokespersons on nuclear weapons policy
around the country and survivors of the bombings known as Hibakusha.
Kevin Martin, Peace Action's executive director is currently in
Hiroshima and will be in Nagasaki from August 7th though 9th and
available for phone or satellite interviews.

VISUALS: Many events will include floating lanterns, origami
peace cranes and other colorful props. Some events at sites with
nuclear weapons may include nonviolent civil disobedience.