David McReynolds has left us

by Colin Archer

Older members of the IPB family will have vivid memories of David McReynolds, who died on Aug.17th in New York City at the age of 88. David was a committed pacifist and socialist, as well as an accomplished photographer. He was on the War Resisters League staff from 1960 to 1999 and was chair of the War Resisters’ International. He was also a long time member of the US Socialist Party, running for President of the USA in 1980 and 2000 — the first openly gay candidate for President — and for the U.S. Senate from New York in 2004 on the Green Party ticket. His very moving photos reveal (among much else) a lifelong engagement with campaigns against war and oppression; and in favour of disarmament and human rights. He traveled extensively, many times to war-torn countries, once getting arrested in Red Square during an anti-nuclear protest in 1978. David was appointed a consultant to the IPB in the 1990s, and was a reliable source of support in all kinds of ways over the years. Many colleagues have expressed great sadness at his passing. David was an outstanding activist who was both resolute and gentle, never afraid to take a bold stand. He was a radical political thinker and writer, a movement organiser, and especially in his later years, a global networker. His family and friends will be planning a memorial service in the weeks to come. See also New York Times obituary.

Nagasaki Commemoration Rally

by Corazon Fabros, speech at the Rally – Nagasaki Commemoration Day

Friends, I am deeply honored and grateful to speak at our Nagasaki Day Rally. I bring solidarity greetings from the Philippines and from the International Peace Bureau.  This year’s commemoration touched me deeply to hear the calls for unity despite our diversity, and the consolidation of our forces across movements, generations and peoples here in Japan.  And most specially the presence of many young people as we have seen during the Peace March and in this hall this morning. Continue reading “Nagasaki Commemoration Rally”

Declaration of the International Meeting, 2018 World Conference against A and H Bombs

The atomic bombs used by the United States of America on August 6 and 9, 73 years ago brought on the unprecedented tragedies to Hiroshima and Nagasaki that the humans had ever experienced in history. The two cities were totally ruined in an instant, and the lives of some 210,000 people were lost by the end of the year. The Hibakusha who barely survived the moment have been tormented by the after-effects of the bombs, including radiation. The nuclear weapons, which cause catastrophic humanitarian consequences, should never be used again for any reason whatsoever. Assembled here in Hiroshima, we decry that nuclear weapons remain the greatest threat to the survival of the human race and therefore call for actions to completely eliminate them without any further delay.

Continue reading “Declaration of the International Meeting, 2018 World Conference against A and H Bombs”

An open letter by Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, John Dean, Governor Bill Richardson, Walter Mosley, Michael Moore, Valerie Plame, and others

Common Ground: For Secure Elections and True National Security

Many Americans remain deeply concerned about reports of Russian interference with the 2016 election. Meanwhile, relations between the United States and Russia are at their lowest and most dangerous point in several decades. For the sake of democracy at home and true national security, we must reach common ground to safeguard common interests—taking steps to protect the nation’s elections and to prevent war between the world’s two nuclear superpowers. Continue reading “An open letter by Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, John Dean, Governor Bill Richardson, Walter Mosley, Michael Moore, Valerie Plame, and others”

In Memoriam: Horst Stasius

Many people like to talk of internationalism and solidarity. Horst Stasius, who has died aged 84, was someone who truly lived it.

Born in The Hague in the year Hitler came to power, Horst grew up in a German family who had gone abroad only to see their adopted country occupied. The family returned to Germany soon after, when his father, Otto, was called up. Continue reading “In Memoriam: Horst Stasius”

Declaration of the International Meeting Against Foreign Military Bases

June 29th, 2018, Kaiserslautern Germany

Attendees from Germany, Netherlands, France, UK, South Korea, Spain, Italy, USA, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Switzerland agree to the following

Whereas:

  • The EU/US/NATO plays a key role in the creation of unequal economic conditions, wars and armed conflicts, and environment destruction that cause people to flee from their homes, seeking safety and sanctuary in Europe;
  • Increasing levels of military spending are contributing to these conditions;
  • Security and defence interests focusing on the security of states, power elites, and cooperate interests comes at the expense of individuals’ personal security;
  • Over 30 000 people are estimated to have lost their lives attempting to find sanctuary in Europe over the last 25 years and countless thousands, possibly millions, have died in their own countries;
  • The EU has put measures in place for open borders for weapons and soldiers, but not for people.

We oppose:

  • The militarization of EU border security that serves the interests of the military and security industry and endangers the lives of people seeking sanctuary in Europe;
  • The aims and actions of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, tasked with border control of the Schengen Area, in coordination with national border and coast guard bodies;
  • All migrant detention and long-term processing centres inside and outside Europe’s borders.

And we call on the EU to:

  • Ensure safe and legal crossing of sea and land borders around and within Europe, thereby opening the borders for people fleeing from conflict and famine;
  • Reduce military spending and invest in fair, just and equitable conditions for development and trade;
  • End the sale and export of arms and weapons’ components.

Stop the wars and not the refugees!

 

Contact:
Aktionsbüro Stopp Airbase Ramstein
c/o IALANA
Marienstr. 19/20
10117 Berlin
Germany
info@ramstein-kampagne.eu

Photos from the week of actions can be seen here.

IPB Statement: Korea Summit In Singapore

The International Peace Bureau welcomes the commitment of President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jung-un to meet at the June 12 summit in Singapore. Even as many issues related to military, human and political rights, and regional tensions will not be addressed in the summit, it holds the promise of ending nearly 70 years of disastrous war and preparations for war that have disproportionally impacted North and South Korea. Continue reading “IPB Statement: Korea Summit In Singapore”

CND Press Release: US-North Korea peace summit pulls world back from the brink

Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to today’s peace summit between Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Trump.

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:

“Today’s summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un is a very positive development. At a time of escalating militarisation and increasingly dangerous policy developments – the US’s new nuclear posture review and recent strategic defence review to name but two – an outbreak of dialogue in an exceptionally tense region is a welcome step.

“Some take the view that the summit statement says nothing new, but the key is that the summit took place. Just months ago we were looking at the possibility of nuclear war. Today the world has pulled back from the brink. Only cynics would think that a negligible achievement.

“The statement itself crucially recognises both sides’ primary concerns. Trump has committed to providing security guarantees to Pyongyang, and Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Beyond the formal texts, subsequent remarks may help to make the good intentions real: Trump says he will halt his provocative ‘war games’ – exercises that include flying nuclear capable bombers close to North Korea’s border. And Kim says North Korea will destroy nuclear test centres, so both sides are contributing to denuclearisation.

“These are small steps but much to be welcomed as the peninsula moves towards bringing a formal end to the Korean war and embracing more peaceful future”.

SIPRI figures on military expenditure in 2017

German MPs and actors from civil society declare: Disarmament is the challenge of our time

On the occasion of the publication of the statistics on world military expenditure in 2017 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) German MPs and members of the peace movement criticized the enormous cost of armament at a press conference of the International Peace Bureau (IPB).

Continue reading “SIPRI figures on military expenditure in 2017”