Peace Gathering to Commemorate 81st Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• Peace activists are organizing a commemorative gathering on August 2, 2026, at the New York City Public Library to mark the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings.
• The event aims to honor victims of the bombings and subsequent nuclear testing, while demanding accountability and nuclear disarmament from the U.S. government.

Background and Context

• The 1945 atomic bombings killed an estimated 210,000 people and left lasting health consequences for survivors.
• Many Korean victims, who were forcibly displaced to Japan during the imperial occupation, remain largely excluded from historical recognition and nuclear abolition discussions.
• A People’s Tribunal on the U.S. Atomic Bombings is scheduled for November 2026 in Seoul, South Korea.

Modern Nuclear Concerns

• Organizers argue that a "second Cold War" between the U.S. and China over economic, military, and AI dominance is exacerbating the global nuclear arms race.
• Emerging risks include the potential military application of AI and renewed interest in small modular reactors (SMRs).

Participating Organizations

• The gathering is spearheaded by Veterans for Peace – NYC Chapter 34 and the Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World.
• Supporting organizations include Pax Christi, Peace Action, the War Resisters League, and various other activist groups committed to global disarmament.