International Fast for Nuclear Disarmament 6-9 August 2018

A national urgency; an international fast

Download the Knighton Fast Poster Here

Download the programme for the Knighton fast here

Statement and invite from Janet Fenton in Edinburgh

A national urgency; an international fast 

Every year, an International Fast is held in several countries worldwide between Hiroshima and Nagasaki days (6th-9th August). Initiated over thirty years ago in France and Germany, the fast takes place in sorrow and in commemoration of the 300,000 deaths at the atomic bombings of Japan.

The fast is supported by many leading organisations around the world, and in the UK by Trident Ploughshares, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and by several Quaker and church groups.

It is supported internationally by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

Why are we fasting?

As well as an act of remembrance, the fast is an Action-fast, to protest against the ongoing possession of nuclear weapons by 9 states. These include the United Kingdom, whose government and establishment voted in 2017 to push through the replacement of Trident, after minimal public consultation. Such a replacement, if it goes through, risks perpetuating the UK’s status as both a target and a threat to the world, whereas the UK could, by renouncing Trident, make an extraordinary and decisive contribution to world peace.

Worldwide, numerous distinguished public figures have called for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. 122 UN member states have voted in favour of the Treaty to abolish nuclear weapons, opposed only by most nuclear-armed states and their cronies and allies.

Download the International Fast leaflet here. 

We will be fasting to convey a double message:

To the UK government and people:

 No Trident replacement!

To all nations and their peoples:

Abolish all nuclear weapons: sign the treaty to ban nuclear weapons now!

 Come and join us!

 In the UK the fast will be followed in Knighton, London, Iona and Barnstaple. In London we will be based in Victoria Embankment Gardens. Accommodation will be provided nearby. We will hold vigils on Hiroshima and Nagasaki days, and will stage various forms of peaceful protest in the Whitehall area.

In Knighton the fast will take place night and day at St. Edwards Church in Church Rd, Knighton LD7 1AG where prayer meetings, meditations, crane making and discussions will take place alongside an exhibition of peace banners.

Whether to fast with us or simply to join us in these actions, you will be welcome.

 About the International Fast

The yearly fast has been held since 1984 in both France and Germany, and in recent years has spread to several other countries as well. Last year over 150 people fasted, in France, Germany, the UK, the US, and New Zealand.

The fast brings together the different nationalities around a common absolute rejection of nuclear weapons, at the same time as involving targeted actions reflecting the specific situation in each country. 

Participants in this year’s fast are launching the following Appeal:

 Call of the international groups of fasters 

We are groups of fasters who have decided to forego nourishment over the four days, from August 6th, the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, until August 9th, the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, to express our total opposition to nuclear weapons, and to call for their complete abolition.

Never has determined popular protest against nuclear weapons been more necessary. The world is fraught with tensions, as the US President tears up the nuclear agreement with Iran while pushing to increase US military spending to nearly $700 billion a year, greatly increasing the probability that hardliners in Iran will seek nuclear weapons for their country, possibly aped in turn by Saudi Arabia. The ballet of proposed talks with North Korea interspersed with threats on Twitter of nuclear Armageddon continues.

Meanwhile, all existing nuclear-armed states from China to France and the UK are renewing and modernising their arsenals. The clock of the apocalypse has again been moved forward, to 2 minutes before midnight, in other words, the risk of nuclear attack is considered comparable to the most dramatic moments of the Cold War. 16,000 nuclear weapons are currently in active service, including 2,000 on alert.

At the same time, there are seeds of hope. The International Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, sponsor of our fast, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Just one year ago, a dramatic change in the dynamics of nuclear disarmament occurred, with a United Nations vote on 7th July 2017 in favour of a treaty banning nuclear weapons. 

122 countries voted in favour of this treaty, scheduled to enter into force as soon as 50 countries ratify it. This gives a new momentum to the overwhelming majority of nations, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens, who resolutely oppose the folly of nuclear weapons.

A surge in public opinion is essential. The possession, production and threatened use of nuclear weapons must be prohibited. The United Nations Treaty must be upheld, and enforced!

We, the undersigned groups of fasters, call on each and every person to join us in expressing this urgent call:

Nuclear disarmament must happen now! Join the Fast!     

Groups of Fasters, August 6-9, 2018:

 FRANCE:          Paris, Dijon-Valduc, Bordeaux-Mégajoule, La Hague, Brest-Ile Longue, Montpellier, Tours

GERMANY:      Mutlangen, Büchel

NEW ZEALAND: Auckland

TOGO:             Lomé

UK:                   London, Knighton, Barnstaple, Iona, Edinburgh

USA:                 Los Alamos New Mexico, Kansas City,  Livermore Lab California

Contacts:

 Marc Morgan:marcwmorgan@btinternet.com

Dominique Lalanne: do.lalanne@wanadoo.fr

Angie Zelter: reforest@gn.apc.org