Coinciding with Peace Boat’s visit to New York City on June 16-17, Peace Boat US organized two important disarmament events, a walking tour to explore the nuclear legacy of Manhattan and a Global Hibakusha testimony and film screening.
Manhattan’s Nuclear Legacy Walking Tour – June 16
On Sunday, June 16, 2024, Peace Boat US, the New York Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (NYCAN), Hibakusha Stories, and Youth Arts New York came together for a walking tour around NYC to learn about the nuclear legacy and role in the creation of the atomic bomb, as well as to learn about the local organizations’ current disarmament advocacy initiatives. Over 30 participants joined the walking tour from Japan, Ukraine, the Marshall Islands, and a large local contingent to better understand the nuclear history of the city
The first stop was City Hall Park in the Financial District. Representatives from NYCAN, Hibakusha Stories, and Youth Arts New York explained their role in passing two critical pieces of nuclear disarmament legislation, Resolution 976 which called on the NYC Comptroller to initiate divestment from all nuclear weapon producers, and the second, INT 1621 which sets up a committee to educate the public about nuclear disarmament. The bill, INT 1621, also reaffirms New York City’s Manhattan Project legacy, and advises New York City Council on related matters. NYCAN can be credited for the accomplishment of NYC becoming a Nuclear-Free Zone in 2021.
Next, the group proceeded to a small, innocuous building right around the corner which in fact served as the Manhattan Project’s first headquarters. The group was shocked to learn that the secret planning for the first atomic bomb began in this small building.
After a short subway ride, the group reached the final stop on the tour, the Former Baker and Williams Warehouse. Here, over 300,000 pounds of uranium was stored between 1942 and 1943 which was said to be used to create the first nuclear weapon. During clean-up efforts, drums of uranium were found sunk into the concrete of the building and even after the material was cleaned out, radiation was still present. In 1989, radiation levels were still 38 times higher than federally allowed levels. During those years and long after, the Chelsea area in NYC was home to many residents, schools, and local businesses who were unknowingly exposed to high levels of radiation.
Following the eye-opening tour, participants debriefed about what they learned in a local diner called Chelsea Square, one of the few remaining historical New York City diners.
Global Hibakusha Testimonies – June 17
Peace Boat and the United Nations’ #Youth4Disarmament Initiative co-organized “Global Hibakusha Testimonies: Building a Peaceful Tomorrow for Future Generations” featuring Global Hibakusha, survivors of atomic bombings and nuclear tests, sharing their first-hand experiences and engaging youth in the movement for nuclear disarmament.
The Hibakusha’ testimonies provided attendees with powerful insight into the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and underscored the urgent need for disarmament and educating future generations about the horrors of nuclear warfare. With these accounts shared, the audience of this event was able to share their thoughts through an interactive activity that expressed a need for action against nuclear weapons and connections among the survivors.
The event was held in partnership with the “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World: Peace Boat Hibakusha Project,” taking place onboard Peace Boat. Since 2008, this program has brought over 170 Hibakusha from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as nuclear survivors from around the world onboard Peace Boat to share their stories and promote the message of nuclear disarmament. With the world spending 387 billion dollars on nuclear weapons in the last five years and increasing annually, the testimony session was as important as ever.
Mr. Ogawa Tadayoshi, from Nagasaki, shared how his family narrowly escaped immediate death when his father moved them 8 kilometers away from the city just before the atomic bomb was dropped on August 9, 1945. Living initially only 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter, Ogawa and his family were spared the direct blast but not its aftermath. They endured radiation poisoning, severe health issues, and the collapse of their once-prosperous life.
Ms. Toshiko Tanaka, from Hiroshima, was six years old when she survived the atomic bombing. She recounted the tragic loss of her classmates who perished in the atomic bombing. Her survival was due to a fortuitous move by her family a week before the bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. Originally living just 500 meters from ground zero, they relocated to a safer distance. On the day of the bombing, as she headed to elementary school, she saw an airplane followed by a blinding flash, which caused severe burns to her hand and upper shoulder.
Mary Dickson, a Downwinder from the United States, provided a compelling account of her personal battle with the long-term health effects of nuclear testing in Nevada. Dickson experienced significant health problems, including cancer, directly linked to radioactive fallout. She spoke of the untold suffering faced by many Downwinders, who were exposed to high levels of radiation without their knowledge or consent due to repeated nuclear testing in their region. Dickson highlighted the lack of governmental accountability and the prolonged fight for justice and compensation for those affected.
The final testimony was presented by Benetick Kabua Maddison, the Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, which promotes cultural, intellectual, and historical awareness of the Marshallese people and facilitates intercultural dialogue to foster positive social change. He contributed to the discussion by highlighting the environmental and health impacts of repeated nuclear testing on the Marshall Islands by the United States, including how his own family and community have been affected.
#Youth4Disarmament
After the testimony session, the conversation turned to the youth perspective within the nuclear disarmament movement.
Marykate Monaghan, Youth Outreach Consultant with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, from the UK, emphasized the critical role of youth in the disarmament movement, highlighting various initiatives aimed at educating and empowering young people to advocate for a nuclear-free world. Ivan Siluianov, a UN Youth Champion for Disarmament through Youth4Disarmament from Russia, shared his experiences mobilizing global youth to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and to actively participate in disarmament efforts.
The event also included a screening of the film “The Vow from Hiroshima,” which focuses on Setsuko Thurlow, a passionate survivor of the Hiroshima bombing. The film highlighted her lifelong dedication to advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The event successfully fostered dialogue between the Hibakusha and the youth participants, emphasizing the critical role of younger generations in achieving a nuclear-free world. Sophia Cone, a college student and Peace Boat US intern, shared her thoughts and reflection after the session stating, “the Hibakusha Testimony event was very moving. Each speaker brought their own unique perspective on how nuclear testing and usage affected their lives and why nuclear weapons should be eliminated. What struck me the most was how their stories resonated with me, as many of the aftereffects and diseases brought on by nuclear testing my family members have also experienced, which made their testimonies more of a reality to me.” Through these testimonies and educational efforts, the event inspired continued advocacy towards global disarmament for the participants.
