photo of Hiroshima a few days after the dropping of the atomic bomb
Mitsumi Kishiga, courtesy Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Christopher: Flash and fire consumed Hiroshima’s streets when the United States dropped an atomic bomb 80 years ago this morning. Days later, Nagasaki would also be engulfed in flames. Upwards of 120,000 people were instantly killed, and many more would suffer and die in the fallout.
Decades later, the world has failed to learn the lessons. Today, nine countries — several of which are already at, or terrifyingly close to, war — possess the destructive power of 135,000 Hiroshima bombs.[1]
And just last week, Trump ratcheted up tensions further, ordering two U.S. nuclear submarines near Russia.[2]
It’s a chilling reminder that, at any minute, the U.S. President can single-handedly launch a weapon capable of horrific destruction. No approval from, not even notification to, the Defense Secretary or Congress is required.
The system is designed for speed, not clear-headed, democratic decision making. That’s why we need policies like “No First Use” in place immediately.
The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act (S.192 and H.R.669), would create the guardrails necessary to stop Trump — or any president — from unilaterally pushing us down the path to nuclear catastrophe, and it needs your urgent support.
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Even a “small” nuclear war, where just three percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal is deployed, would have apocalyptic effects. Millions would be killed on impact, followed by environmental destruction, famine, and more deaths in the fallout.
The problem? Too many world leaders and decision-makers are failing to reckon with the consequences.
That includes too many members of Congress who have yet to cosponsor the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act, a commonsense approach to ensuring Congress’s vital and constitutional authority to declare war is fulfilled by requiring the president to obtain congressional approval before using nuclear weapons.
People created nuclear weapons and designed the systems governing their use. Christopher, that means people can change the system — and work to rid the world of this threat entirely.
As the only nation to have used nuclear weapons in conflict, the U.S. government has a unique responsibility to enact policies that build a safer and more secure future. It’s activists like us who will push decision-makers to be the leaders we need. Will you speak out now?
Eliminating the threat of nuclear war has been a huge part of Win Without War’s work since our founding. This week, as we remember the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and honor the work of the survivors — the hibakusha — we thank you for joining us.
Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team
1. International Committee of the Red Cross, “Hiroshima 80 years on: The humanitarian imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons”
2. The Hill, “Trump escalates nuclear tensions as Russia deadline nears”
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