“Nuclear weapons exist as a tool of power, inequality, and destruction. They have no place in the lives of future generations.” Dr. Vinay Jindal, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Canada

On Tuesday, August 9 at 7:00pm, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Coalition invites your participation in the 77th Anniversary Commemoration of the Atomic bombings of Japan. Peace activists and dynamic presenters will highlight the importance of Canadian support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The event will also feature a message from City of Toronto Mayor John Tory, and music by Grammy-nominated flautist Ron Korb.

Keynote Speaker, Akira Kawasaki

Akira Kawasaki is a member of the Executive Committee of the Tokyo-based nongovernmental organization Peace Boat. He also serves on the International Steering Group of the 2017 Nobel Peace Laureate, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Mr. Kawasaki has coordinated the “Global Hibakusha Project,” in which atomic bomb survivors travel the globe to share their testimony. He has also worked to educate young people to bring them into the movement for nuclear disarmament through numerous activities, such as the Hiroshima ICAN Academy. Mr. Kawasaki is a highly regarded author on nuclear issues, is respected by NGOs and governments alike, creating international opportunities to take action for disarmament. Mr. Kawasaki was recently awarded the Tanimoto Peace Prize in 2021.

Youth Speaker, Rooj Ali

Rooj Ali worked with fellow student Avinash Singh to gain the City of Winnipeg’s support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as part of the youth-led International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Cities Appeal. Since 2019 Ms. Ali has been participating in a number of nuclear disarmament initiatives: co-chair of the Youth Nuclear Peace Summit, youth co-ordinator of Reverse the Trend: Save Our Planet, Save Our People, member of the Canadian Council of Young Feminists, and participant in the Hiroshima ICAN Academy.

Hiroshima Survivor, Setsuko Thurlow

Setsuko Thurlow was a 13-year-old schoolgirl when the United States used the world’s first nuclear weapon in war, destroying her beloved hometown, Hiroshima. For seven decades, she has warned the world that inaction is not an option: and that nuclear weapons must be totally eliminated. Throughout her adult life she has engaged in awareness raising and advocacy for nuclear abolition, and has shared her testimony about the realities of nuclear war with countless people across the globe. Today, Ms. Thurlow is a leading figure in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and co-received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of ICAN in December 2017.

Where is Canada? To date, 66 states are states parties to the Treaty, and a further 23 states have signed. In June of this year NATO countries Norway, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium participated as observers at the first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty. Canada did not participate. Now is the time for Canada to join the growing number of nations supporting and signing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Registration: https://actionnetwork.org/events/canadasigntheban