An event to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons in Leeds this Saturday is to be moved online as a result of the increasing risks posed by Covid-19. The livestream event, featuring contributions from Fabian Hamilton MP and Cllr David Blackburn alongside music and quotes from campaigners and faith leaders, will now be live streamed at 12 noon on Saturday 26th September.
As a part of a campaign calling on the British government to sign and ratify the 2017 UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Leeds Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had hoped to host an outdoor event whereby campaigners, religious figures and political representatives would form a giant peace sign in a similar vein to an action carried out in Bradford earlier this year. “We did struggle with this decision – it’s so important we mark this day and make it clear that for everyone’s safety we strongly believe that this government should support the 2017 UN Treaty to ban nuclear weapons – but at this time we also have to consider everyone’s safety from the point of view of the spread of the Covid virus.” said Leeds CND member and national CND chair Dave Webb.
The livestream will take no longer than 45 minutes and is part of the broader 75 years is enough campaign, calling on local authorities and ultimately the government to support the 2017 UN Treaty, which will ban nuclear weapons across the world, once and for all.
“A world with nuclear weapons is an unstable and dangerous world. No nation can be secure without paying attention also to the security of others. Ridding the world of weapons that everyone agrees should never be used would be a good start.” added the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines of the Church of England.
For more info/photos: Contact jonas@yorkshirecnd.org.uk or call 07533023070.
Notes for editors
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- The text of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was agreed by the majority of countries in 2017. It will outlaw the production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons in the same way as the existing international treaties on chemical and biological weapons. The treaty is expected to enter international law in the next six months, but the UK Government boycotted the negotiations and has stated that it will neither sign nor recognise the treaty.
- Bradford peace campaigners formed a giant peace sign marking the 75th anniversary of the first atomic explosion. The demonstration remembered all the lives lost due to the testing and usage of nuclear weapons and called on Bradford Council to formally support the UN Treaty to ban all nuclear weapons across the globe.
- The event will take place on Zoom at 12 noon, and you can access the livestream by clicking the link here. If the link is giving you trouble, the Meeting ID is 867 5678 6361 and the Passcode is 408368.
