On September 10th, a committee of the Massachusetts State Legislature held a hearing on a Back from the Brink resolution, S. 1649, a “Resolution to embrace the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and move the U.S. back from the brink of nuclear war.” Nine members of the Boston and western Massachusetts Hubs testified in person, and three others provided testimony virtually.
On a day when NATO ally Poland shot down Russian drones invading its airspace, Hub members addressed the growing danger of nuclear war and urged the Legislature to approve the resolution without delay. They responded to concerns that this was an issue for the federal government, not the state, by pointing out explicit language in the Massachusetts Constitution and the oath of office that legislators take, enjoining them to act to protect the lives and well-being of residents of the state, and cited the role that state legislatures, including the Massachusetts House and Senate, had played in ending the Cold War through their support of the Freeze movement in the 1980s.
In addition, they reminded the Massachusetts state legislators of the 20 communities in Massachusetts and those in other states that had already passed resolutions supporting Back from the Brink. Those who testified pointed out that all the other issues that are before the legislature in this session would be irrelevant if we do not avoid nuclear war.
S. 1649 will need to be voted out of committee to be considered by the full Senate. Meanwhile, Hub members will continue to meet with members of the committee to press for an early vote.
