|
 |
|
|
|
||
 |
||
home vicpeace.orgRemember Hiroshima and Nagasaki
HIROSHIMA SHADOWS
When atomic bombs detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, people within 300 metres of the centre of the blast were instantly vaporised by the intense heat. They left nothing behind but faint ‘shadows’ on nearby walls, pavement, and other stone and concrete surfaces that weren't vaporised with them. Survivors of the bombing traced these shadows with chalk, and the tracings have become a symbol for state terrorism and nuclear annihilation.
This year is the 60th anniversary of the destruction of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, using nuclear weapons. The United States military dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima at 8.15am on 6 August 1945. Another atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki at 11.02am on 9 August 1945.
In Hiroshima, 90,000 people were killed immediately. In Nagasaki, the nuclear blast instantly killed 40,000 people. By the end of 1945, over 145,000 people had died in Hiroshima, and another 75,000 people had died in Nagasaki. Tens of thousands more suffered serious injuries. Deaths among survivors of the bombings have continued over the years due primarily to the effects of radiation exposure.
After the invasion of Iraq, weapons of mass destruction are on the agenda, and the first item must be the abolition of all nuclear weapons. On the 60th anniversary of this act of nuclear terrorism, people around the world are saying “Never Again!” They are calling for nuclear disarmament by all countries that maintain stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Washington and London should start to eliminate their weapons of mass destruction, rather than waging wars on impoverished countries like Iraq.
Australia should support the strengthening of nuclear free zones, the creation of a Nuclear Weapons Convention and other international agreements to abolish nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. We should end the mining of uranium that fuels nuclear proliferation, and close the US military bases in Australia that support nuclear warfare.
CREATE HIROSHIMA SHADOWS
We’re asking you to create Hiroshima Shadows for Saturday 6 August 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city.
In the days leading up to this year’s anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing Saturday 6 August - organise a small group of friends to leave Hiroshima shadows all around the city.
Just get some chalk, and trace around the outline of someone lying on the footpath or leaning against a wall. As well as leaving shadows, add some words that express your feelings about Hiroshima, warfare and nuclear disarmament. Find places that will attract attention near your local railway station or bus stop, outside shopping centres, schools or your favourite politician’s office.
Let’s cover the city with Hiroshima Shadows!
HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI NEVER AGAIN!
Leave a shadow of our protest on walls, footpaths and streets