New York City Peace Festival: Commemorates the 76th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Written by Reverse The Trend and Peace Boat US

On August 6, in collaboration with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Peace Boat US, and Reverse The Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet hosted the New York City Peace Festival at the Selina Chelsea NYC Hotel. Additional co-sponsors included the Marshallese Educational Initiative, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Climate Cardinals, Zero Hour NYC, The Prospect Hill Foundation, Peace Action New York State, Nuclear Ban US, and the Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World. The event commemorated the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and featured youth activists, musicians, and diplomats who discussed advocacy opportunities for disarmament and climate activists. 

The event was moderated by youth activist Brandon Wingfield of Reverse the Trend and Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US. Emilie and Christian N. Ciobanu, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Coordinator of Reverse The Trend, delivered introductory remarks to highlight the importance of disarmament education and remembering the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons as we work towards a more sustainable and nuclear-free future.

Keynote presentations included a message from H.E. Ambassador Amatlain Elizabeth Kabua of the Marshall Islands, H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kiribati, Diane Barnes of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and a Hibakusha survivor testimony from Miyake Nobuo from Hiroshima. Mr. Miyake spoke on his experience and the aftermath of the nuclear bombing, as well as the importance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and his disappointment that Japan “has not made an effort to join it.” 

Ambassador Tito inspired guests and participants by calling for action, saying “A revolution is needed; not one that rallies or creates crowds, but one that starts from within, in our homes, communities and societies, and then real change will start to happen.” 

Guests also saw a preview and presentation on the making of “A Vow From Hiroshima” by Mitchie Takeuchi and Susan Strickler, as well as a presentation on the 1Future Project and its interactive qualities by Taku Nishimae and Cannon Hersey. Paul Miller, aka DJ Spooky and Molly Hurley, Nuclear Fellow for the Prospect Hill Foundation, likewise spoke of the role of art, with presentations of an original Peace Symphony inspired by eight Hibakusha testimonies on the Peace Boat and art activism. Travis Richardson of Climate Cardinals followed up with a similar message on activism and the various forms it takes, linking it to his own work on climate. 

The event also featured presentations by youth activists, including: Christelle Barakat (Peace Boat intern and UN Youth Champion for Disarmament from Lebanon), Juan Sebastian Huertas Olea (Peace Boat US Youth for the SDGs from Colombia), as well as Sajani Patel, Andrew Kim, and Jack Moses (Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Reverse The Trend interns). 

Peace Boat US intern Georgine Verano shared how she was extremely impacted by the event. “As a Singaporean, because of Japan’s occupation of Singapore during it, I have never really heard about Japan’s side during the Second World War or really considered the impact of that nuclear attack. Hearing the testimony by Mr Miyake, as well as the speeches by the ambassadors really struck a chord with me and taught me about the victims on the other side as well as the effect it has on all of us,  not just countries in war.”

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Reverse The Trend youth activist Jack Moses also offered his thoughts on the event: “It was so wonderful to have youth voices included and amplified in the current discussions about nuclear disarmament at the NYC Peace Festival. We are part of the generation that will suffer the greatest if the issues of nuclear weapons and climate change are not addressed. I was inspired by all of the youth speakers’ unique perspectives and unwavering dedication to fight for these causes.”

Director of NuclearBan.US Asha Asokan and UN Liaison for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Seth Shelden rounded out the lineup of speakers, outlining actions that can be taken by those interested in the peace movement. A cocktail reception which allowed participants to mingle and network with their peers, as well as a jazz performance by Nathan Farrell Detrés and Liam Broderick of NALI concluded the evening’s program. 

The event was a major success, with more than 60 total in-person participants in attendance and 20 attendees via Zoom. The recording of the event can be found here. 

We look forward to future Peace Festivals as the peace movement grows and develops!