It's time to ban nuclear weapons

In late May six WILPFers visited numerous Congressional offices and the State Department with Alliance for Nuclear Accountability's expert nuclear "watch dogs,"  In addition to advising legislators about DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's "Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act," they told about recent experiences at the United Nations during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review, and the growing determination of non-nuclear nations to completely ban nuclear weapons, which threaten the peace and security of us all, and could lead to extinction of our species and other life on earth. 

Representatives Lewis of Georgia and Grijalva of Arizona had signed on to Norton's bill in past sessions, and were quick to instruct their aides to tell Ms. Norton that they wish to co-sponsor the bill again this session. Read the bill, Ms. Norton's Dear Colleague letter, and a history of the legislation.

Mr. Grijalva is Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus.  He has been working with WILPF members Charmaine White Face, Helen Jaccard, and Pat Birnie, on a Uranium Mining Moratorium and Clean-Up bill, which he indicated he was nearly ready to introduce.

Ms. Norton was pleased to learn about our success in finding co-sponsors so soon after the bill was introduced on April 21, and suggested that we initially focus our attention on attracting other members of the Progressive Caucus.

Carol Urner, co-chair of Disarm/End Wars Committee, and Katya Murillo, an intern from Whittier College in California, have developed a list of WILPF branches whose legislators are members of the Progressive Caucus -- Boston MA, Burlington VT, Cleveland OH, Detroit MI, Eugene OR, Los Angeles CA, Milwaukee WI, Minneapolis MN, Monterey CA, New York Metro, Oakland CA, Philadelphia PA, Portland OR, Santa Cruz CA, Tucson AZ. 

Senator Bernie Sanders of Burlington, VT, is also a member of the Progressive Caucus.  It would be great if he would introduce HR-1976 into the Senate. 

The other Progressive Caucus members may have at-large WILPF members as constituents in their districts -- Phoenix AZ, Claremont CA, Richmond CA, Riverside CA, Santa Clara CA,  New Haven CT, Boca Raton FL, Orlando FL, Chicago IL, Indianapolis IN, Medford MA, Baltimore MD, Charlotte NC, Ewing NJ, Brooklyn NY, Scranton PA, Pawtucket RI, Memphis TN, Houston TX, Alexandria VA.

Steve Cohen of Memphis, TN, and Sheila Jackson-Lee of Houston, TX are former co-sponsors of Norton's bill.

For more information contact Ellen Thomas .

Photo: Representative John Lewis and aide, with Glenn Carroll and Ellen Thomas at right, and Georgia WAND and Shell Bluff, Georgia, constituents who live near the Savannah River nuclear weapons facility. Courtesy of Rep. John Lewis’ office.