Back from the Brink Brings Communities Together at 3MSP in NYC
Back from the Brink was well represented at the Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) held March 2-7 in New York City, joining campaigners from 163 civil society organizations. Representatives from 86 countries participated as states parties or observers, culminating in a declaration rejecting nuclear deterrence and other measures to strengthen the TPNW.
The opening session was led by 3MSP President Akan Rakhmetullin, Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who declared, “The abolition of nuclear weapons is not an aspiration, but an imperative.” Rakhmetullin acknowledged the devastating impact of nuclear weapons on his country, which endured 450 nuclear weapons tests by the Soviet Union.
Affected communities from numerous countries—Japan, the Yankunytjatjara People, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), Kiribati, Fiji, the Navajo Nation—participated in 3MSP, keeping the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons front and center as a driving force in the movement to abolish nuclear weapons.
BftB’s 3MSP delegation included BftB leadership and consultants, partner organizations, BftB Hubs, students and grassroots activists and was more than twice the size of our delegation to 2MSP last year. We did what we do best – bring communities together!
BftB organized our first-ever side event, in partnership with Northwestern University, Mayors for Peace and other allied organizations. “The Role of Cities in the Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament” featured mayors, city officials and campaigners who provided unique perspectives and strong testimonials about the importance of local, community-based organizing for nuclear disarmament.
BftB members, partners, Hubs, and student network were well represented at 3MSP.
We brought together youth from the U.S. who met with youth from affected communities around the world. BftB’s student network was particularly active, with students from various regions contributing to the dialogue. A highlight was the Atlanta Hub’s side event, “Visualizing Change: Artistic Expression for a Nuclear-Free World.”
Activists from 13 BftB Hubs participated in 3MSP along with representatives from multiple BftB Partner Organizations and allied groups. Collaboration among BftB Hubs and partners fostered valuable dialogue and strengthened relationships within the global disarmament community.
It was a bright week during troubled times, lifting our spirits, raising our voices, and renewing our commitment to working together for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Click the buttons below to read more and see photos from BftB’s 3MSP events and activities.
The Role of Cities in the Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament
BftB PARTNERS, HUBS, & STUDENT NETWORK
THE ROLE OF CITIES IN THE PROMOTION OF NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
Secretary General of Mayors for Peace Takehiro Kagawa and Hannover Mayor Belit Onay react to Rochester Mayor Mallik Evans as he shares a quote from President Lyndon Johnson: “When the burdens of the presidency seem unusually heavy, I always remind myself it could be worse. I could be a mayor.” Photo credit: ICAN | Darren Ortiz
BftB was proud to organize a 3MSP side event and reception called “The Role of Cities in the Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament” on March 4. The events drew capacity audiences and provided critical perspectives on local organizing for nuclear disarmament from mayors, city officials, and campaigners.
The side event was sponsored by the Austrian Permanent Mission to the UN and co-sponsored by Back from the Brink, Northwestern University, Mayors for Peace, ICAN, IPPNW and Physicians for Social Responsibility. It was convened by Hirokazu Miyazaki, Kay Davis Professor at Northwestern University, who is conducting research on municipal efforts for nuclear disarmament and nuclear justice called the Mapping Nuclear Legacies project.
Miyazaki’s research is informed by Back from the Brink and the growth in local and state advocacy for nuclear disarmament since we were founded in 2017. This 3MSP side event provided an opportunity to learn how and why elected officials decide to get involved, to examine the central key role of local grassroots organizing, and why it’s important to grow and build upon these efforts now, during this time of rising global tensions and uncertainty.
“The Role of Cities in the Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament” side event featured: George-Wilhelm Gallhofer, Austrian Foreign Ministry; Takehiro Kagawa, Secretary General of Mayors for Peace; Mayor Belit Onay, Hannover, Germany; Mayor Malik Evans, Rochester, NY; Alderwoman Maria Hadden, Chicago City Council; and Francesco Vignarca, Campaigns Coordinator, Rete Italiana Pace e Disarmo. Mayor Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima and Mayor Shiro Suzuki of Nagasaki, Japan participated via video.
We were also delighted to be joined by Mayor Nicole LaChappelle of Easthampton, MA and Archbishop John Wester of Sante Fe, NM. The event was moderated by Denise Duffield, Associate Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility–Los Angeles and Back from the Brink Steering Committee member.
The reception featured speakers from the side event as well as Jackie Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation and North American Coordinator of Mayors for Peace; Kathleen Sullivan, Hibakusha Stories and NYCAN; and Magritte Gordner, Physicians for Social Responsibility. Baltimore Comptroller Bill Henry and California Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry participated via video.
BftB thanks all who made the event possible, especially the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Northwestern University for providing funding for the event.
See the gallery below for voices and views shared during the event and reception. Photo credits: Jeremy Love and ICAN | Darren Ortiz
"The effects of even a so-called smaller scale nuclear exchange in one part of the world would have catastrophic effects all around the globe, causing nuclear winter and catastrophic damage... Some risks of this magnitude are harder to address, such as climate change, but nuclear disarmament in fact is much easier. We know what we need to do to eliminate it. And central to generating political will is the question of who consented to being threatened with these catastrophic consequences on a daily basis."
"Focusing on the role of cities in the promotion of nuclear disarmament really is a timely and important initiative because the voices of citizens and city-level peace activities are needed more than ever for realizing a world-free from nuclear weapons. We need more and more active cities, more and more active citizens to take actions for peace."
"Since the war started in Ukraine, we are talking a lot about weapon systems, about how we can support Ukraine on one hand, and people in our cities and also in all Europe are now discussing nuclear shields for Europe. I think it's very important to inform our citizens what it means when it comes to a nuclear bombing in our city, in our country, how it affects us, not only for this generation who the bomb hits, but also the next generations will suffer in the same way."
"I think working with young people at a very early age is how we start to shape hearts and minds…because young people are going to move from mere participants to decision makers at some point, and if they are decision makers in our cities across the world, they would maybe think twice about nuclear weapons. They would maybe think twice about war. They would use the skills that they learned, mediation skills, artistry skills in which they are demonstrating what peace looks like to them."
"The resolution that we crafted not only talked about Chicago's unique role in the development of nuclear weapons, but also the financial impact. And we simply asked the question of constituents and my colleagues in city council, what would we do with this $500 million annually that could be more beneficial to our constituents? How would we spend the money otherwise? And shouldn't we do something different? And so, it was a pleasure to work with the Back from the Brink team and the Union of Concerned Scientists and my youth committee."
"When Stimson decided what city in Japan he had to bomb, it was a list of 12 cities, not like an airfield or an airbase or something. So from cities can really start this idea of having a nuclear-free world. This helped us a lot, when we collected these resolutions, we did the Italia Repensacci campaign with Rete Facce di Sarmo and Sensatomica.. Because 80% of Italians in the polls say they don't want nuclear weapons and they want Italy to join the TPNW, but only 50% of Italians know that we have some words in our territory."
"Even in cities with strong peace activism, many people still don't fully understand America's nuclear legacy, or how much it has disproportionately harmed communities of color and tribal nations. These resolutions and campaigns become opportunities to recognize that history, honor affected communities, and build the trust we need to create lasting peace."
“All mayors prepare, right? We have a plan for every city council, we have a plan for everything. There is no plan for a nuclear bomb. There is no reaction once it happens. It is our voices and proactive just demanding from whatever government structure is above us that our constituents, their counselors, their people, and they will take the brunt of this. A nuclear attack is everything and nothing. It takes away everything you know from your very soul to the city around you, to that wonderful playground you just put in six months ago...it's proactive conversation and building trust that really makes the difference.”
"Mayors are well placed to understand the dangers of nuclear war as well as the impacts of grotesquely bloated military spending on human needs and on the public services we all depend on. As former Mayor Frank Cownie of Des Moines, Iowa, past U.S. Vice-President of Mayors for Peace, has said, “If you don’t think nuclear weapons are a local issue, ask the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”
"Nuclear weapons policy has long been anti-democratic—these decisions that impact us all are made by a very small group of people. So when we demand a voice in whether we live or die, on whether our money is spent on life-affirming policies versus the threat of nuclear annihilation, when we demand a voice in nuclear weapons policy, we are also demanding democracy. Today, that demand is urgent "
"As President of the City of Mayors of Peace, a global network of cities, the city of Hiroshima, together with approximately 8,500 member cities, continues to raise peace consciousness in civil society and create a world with the culture of peace. Thus, urging policy makers who rely on nuclear deterrence to cease their diplomatic policies toward a peaceful solution through dialogue, I would like to ask all of you to act in solidarity with us."
“I consider that expressing our desire as cities who are duty bound to protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens to abolish nuclear weapons holds great significance. In addition, by establishing a network of cities such as the Mayors for Peace, I firmly believe that we can formulate an international coalition and can make great strides towards nuclear disarmament. As an atomic bomb city, Nagasaki bears a special role to transcend borders and generations and continue to convey what happened to the people so as to ensure that Nagasaki remains the last atomic bombing site.”
"Nuclear weapons do not make us safer, or healthier, or well by any measure. They threaten humanity and all we hold dear. That’s why together, cities and communities are sending a message to our leaders that nuclear weapons are not instruments of protection, but are the greatest risk to our health and safety, and that we must set upon a path to nuclear abolition."
"Each of us individuals has a responsibility. Every voice raised against the threat of nuclear war can make a difference. So today, I encourage you to continue your commitment to this effort. The progress you have made is commendable. Your work is essential to the future of our planet, our global economy, and the literal survival of the human race. Stand together, keep pushing forward, and let us ensure nuclear weapons are never used again."
VIDEO FROM “THE ROLE OF CITIES IN THE PROMOTION OF NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT”
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui
Baltimore Comptroller Bill Henry
Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki
California Majority Leader Cecila Aguiar-Curry
The Role of Cities in the Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament – Full Video
BftB PARTNERS, HUBS, & STUDENT NETWORK
Photo credit: ICAN | Darren Ortiz
Back from the Brink’s tagline, “Bringing Communities Together to Abolish Nuclear Weapons” was a strong theme at 3MSP. It was wonderful to see so many BftB members, partners, Hubs, and students participating in 3MSP sessions, side events, and gatherings. For many, it was the first time meeting each other in person, the first time attending a TPNW meeting, or even the first time visiting New York City!
Representatives from 13 of BftB’s 24 hubs attended, including from Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Texas, and Western Massachusetts.
Numerous national and local BftB Partner Organizations and allies participated, included Physicians for Social Responsibility, Students for Nuclear Disarmament (SND), Union of Concerned Scientists, United Methodist Church–General Board of Church and Society and Western States Legal Foundation. Local Partner Organizations included Greater Boston PSR, Massachusetts Peace Action, PSR Chesapeake, PSR Los Angeles, PSR Maine, and Syracuse Peace Council.
BftB was especially happy to see a strong youth presence at 3MSP as well as a focus on multi-generational efforts. Participants from BftB’s student network including students from Montana, New Hampshire, Boston, Atlanta, and the PEAC Institute in Detroit brought 10 high school students as well.
The Atlanta Hub’s side event, “Visualizing Change: Artistic Expression for a Nuclear-Free World” was incredibly inspiring. Supported by the future Georgia-based SND chapters and PEAC Institute, this event emphasized the role of art in advocacy for nuclear disarmament. Students shared original works, including poems, a rap song, paintings, and sculptures, each reflecting their concerns about the nuclear threat.
We are heartened by the passion, commitment, and participation in 3MSP by so many communities who share our goal of a world without nuclear weapons and the dedication to make that vision a reality.
See the gallery below for a collection of images of the BftB community at 3MSP. Photo credits: Jeremy Love and ICAN | Darren Ortiz
