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Greenpeace volunteers holding “Wings of Peace” balloons with 10,000 peace messages in Hiroshima, Friday morning August 5
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Friday August 5: I am in Hiroshima for the first time with
approximately 20 other Greenpeace staff and volunteers from Japan,
Netherlands, Australia, Fiji, Turkey and Canada. We are here in
peaceful solidarity with thousands of individuals and groups to pay our
respects to the victims of the atomic bombing.
Who are the hibakusha?
The hibakusha are survivors of the Atomic Bomb.
When I arrived two days ago, I wondered how visible the scars from the blasts would be and how I would personally respond to the experience. This is definitely an emotional journey from uncertainty to grief to determination.
This morning we held a ceremony in front of the atomic dome. Messages of peace from 10,000 people were attached to helium peace dove balloons and held by Greenpeace staff and volunteers. Hibakusha survivor and Secretary General of Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations) Terumi Tanaka welcomed us and extended his support for our global work on nuclear disarmament.
The peace messages we have brought here are very clear. People everywhere believe that to create lasting peace all nations with nuclear weapons must eliminate their nuclear arsenal. A message particularly resonated with me:
What does the Hidankyo do?
The Hidankyo is the only nation-wide organisation of A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (hibakusha)
“If everyone works together we can build a world where everyone, regardless of religion, colour or political beliefs will be proud. One without bombs please. I am still a kid and I would like to see a difference in my lifetime. Together we can do it.”
Sitting in our temporary office only two minutes away from the hypocentre of the Hiroshima bombing 60 years ago, it is hard to believe how the people have transformed their city from total devastation to what it is today. A thriving yet calm city where people from all over the world visit to pay homage to the victims of the atomic bombings and to commit to peace.
60 years is too long to live in the shadow of nuclear weapons, knowing such devastation is still so easily possible.
Who are the hibakusha?
The hibakusha are survivors of the Atomic Bomb.
When I arrived two days ago, I wondered how visible the scars from the blasts would be and how I would personally respond to the experience. This is definitely an emotional journey from uncertainty to grief to determination.
This morning we held a ceremony in front of the atomic dome. Messages of peace from 10,000 people were attached to helium peace dove balloons and held by Greenpeace staff and volunteers. Hibakusha survivor and Secretary General of Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations) Terumi Tanaka welcomed us and extended his support for our global work on nuclear disarmament.
The peace messages we have brought here are very clear. People everywhere believe that to create lasting peace all nations with nuclear weapons must eliminate their nuclear arsenal. A message particularly resonated with me:
What does the Hidankyo do?
The Hidankyo is the only nation-wide organisation of A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (hibakusha)
“If everyone works together we can build a world where everyone, regardless of religion, colour or political beliefs will be proud. One without bombs please. I am still a kid and I would like to see a difference in my lifetime. Together we can do it.”
Sitting in our temporary office only two minutes away from the hypocentre of the Hiroshima bombing 60 years ago, it is hard to believe how the people have transformed their city from total devastation to what it is today. A thriving yet calm city where people from all over the world visit to pay homage to the victims of the atomic bombings and to commit to peace.
60 years is too long to live in the shadow of nuclear weapons, knowing such devastation is still so easily possible.
