The very first resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 concerned nuclear disarmament as one of its highest priorities — a reflection of how important this was and continues to be for many nations, communities, and billions of people around the world.
In 2013, to “raise public awareness and to seek deeper engagement on nuclear disarmament matters,” the UN passed a resolution declaring every September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
For Back from the Brink and nuclear disarmament campaigners and advocates the world over, our mission and focus every day is the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
However, this day reminds us that we are not alone. That this is the work of many, all focused on one goal — a future without nuclear weapons. This won’t happen without our voices, our leadership, our advocacy and, importantly, the leadership of those we elect to represent us — in our communities and in Congress.
Why should your governor, mayor, city/town councilors, county commissioners and state legislators get involved and show leadership on this issue? Because they have a solemn responsibility to keep you and your community safe. If nuclear war comes to your community, these leaders will have no choice but to lead and act and do all they can to care for the dead and injured.
None of these local or state leaders, nor your community’s first responders, are truly prepared for such a catastrophe, and many of them already understand that the best option is to make sure nuclear war never happens in the first place. Plus, they know there are far better ways to provide true security than spending tens of billions of dollars every year on nuclear weapons.
This is why nuclear weapons are a local issue, and why our campaign is all about “Bringing Communities Together to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.” We’re thus doubling down on our efforts to get more of these local, county, and state officials actively involved.
And who better to get them to do this than you, their constituents?
With this in mind, Back from the Brink has initiated a sign-on letter for local, county, and state elected officials to urge members of Congress to show leadership by cosponsoring H. Res. 317 and S. Res. 323, the two “Back from the Brink” congressional resolutions that provide a comprehensive framework for a safer, nuclear weapons free world.
We’ve made it very easy for you to be in touch with your local and state officials to urge them to sign onto this letter. Each state has its own one-click action page, or you can write a more personalized appeal or call a local or state official with whom you have a relationship.
Here’s another suggestion — if you’re on social media, post about the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, and tag some of your local and state elected officials AND your members of Congress. The message is simple: nuclear weapons are a local issue and we need our leaders to lead and to speak out about the severe risks they pose to us all and why we need to get rid of them.
Cultivating leadership is and will continue to be at the core of this campaign, including our own leadership. We all can make a difference, and simple actions like letters, phone calls, social media posts, and community events are having an impact. So let’s keep at it.
