As we approach the 80th anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, authoritarian nationalists now hold state power in seven of the nine nuclear-armed states. Even limited progress towards arms control and disarmament has gone into reverse, and the possibilities of nuclear war are real and growing. As the 2024 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Nihon Hidankyo, the organization of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, has warned: “Nuclear weapons and human beings cannot co-exist.” Nuclear weapons must be eliminated before they eliminate us.
As recognized in the 1945 Constitution of UNESCO, “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” In 1955, Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russel declared, “We appeal, as human beings, to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest.” It is incumbent on each of us to contribute in some way to the construction of the defenses of peace. Here are some opportunities for engagement and education in the coming weeks.
Organizational sign-on opportunity through August 1: Sign your group onto the “HumanRaceNotArmsRace” statement from Civil Society organizations here. “We must demand disarmament, prevent further proliferation, and ensure today’s conflicts do not become tomorrow’s nuclear catastrophe.”
Find an event near you: Physicians for Social Responsibility compiles an annual list of Hiroshima-Nagasaki commemorations. Click here to find your community and attend an event to commemorate 80 years since these immoral nuclear weapons were used in war. Click here to submit a local event to be included in the calendar and map.
Fold a paper crane for peace: Fold a paper crane and join in the annual #CranesforOurFuture campaign between August 6 – 9. #CranesForOurFuture is a joint project of the Hiroshima Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Nuclear Threat Initiative, and Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace.
Back from the Brink is mobilizing around two flagship congressional resolutions this August as we mark the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago:
H.Res.317 – Urging the United States to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race
S.Res.323 – Urging the United States to lead a global effort to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race
These congressional resolutions are the current focus of Back From the Brink’s national campaign along with continuing efforts to secure adoption of local resolutions — and they will be at the heart of commemorations organized by Back from the Brink hubs across the country.
Here are one-click tools to make it easy to act and share:
Educational Materials to Read, Watch, and Share
Nobel Laureate Assembly Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War – July 16, 2025; 100 Nobel Laureate signatories to date. “We ask that [global leaders] each be guided by the words of Nobel Laureates Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein: “We appeal as human beings to human beings: remember your humanity, and forget the rest.” Our survival and the survival of future generations are at stake.”
A new nuclear arms race, by Lawrence Wittner, posted on July 13, 2025, by beyondnuclearinternational
U.S. Mayors Renew Their Call for the U.S. to Lead the World Back From the Nuclear Brink, by Jacqueline Cabasso, published July 1, 2025, by Inter Press New Service Agency
Video: Why Should You Care? Nagasaki Mr. Taniguchi, by Shizumi Manale, 2017. Powerful personal testimony of Nagasaki A-bomb survivor, Sumiteru Taniguchi, recorded the year he died. According to the filmmaker, “This documentary captures the devastating reality of war—scenes so painful, they may make you want to look away. Some moments may be difficult to watch, leaving a lasting impression on both your eyes and your heart. And yet—We believe that true peace can only begin with knowing. That is why we created this film.”
Social media: For those who want to participate in the shared hashtag campaign #HumanRaceNotArmsRace please use that hashtag in public/ social media promotions.
