Hiroshima

On August 6th and 9th 1945, the United States dropped the first nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.  More than 200,000 civilians were killed in these attacks and countless survivors continue to suffer from the effects of the bombs.  In 2008, new studies done on survivors and their offspring reveal conclusive DNA genetic changes and malformations. 

Aside from the physical injury and radiation, the most significant effect of the atomic bomb was the sheer terror which it struck into the citizens of these bombed cities. Such terror, unprecedented in humankind, was etched forever onto the bodies and minds of the persons who experienced it. (www.aasc.ucla.edu/cab/index.html)

Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction. We never want to use nuclear weapons again or see others do so. Today, the U.S. nuclear stockpile contains 2,400  megatons, the equivalent to 159,000 Hiroshimas! 

Our nation spends more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars per year on war and preparation for war.  Our nation, with just 4.5 percent of the world's people, accounts for half of the planet's annual military expenditures.  We maintain bases in more than 230 countries and claim the right to intervene at will anywhere in the world under the ruse of "fighting terror" with "all options on the table".  This must stop.

Physicians for Social Responsibility urges the U.S. to take the lead in world peace efforts and:

• Resolve the Iran nuclear crisis through diplomacy —nuclear strikes are not an option
• Join the global community in its efforts to abolish nuclear weapons worldwide (http://www.icanw.org/)
• Dramatically reduce our stockpile of nuclear weapons as agreed in the Non-Proliferation Treaty

The tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is not just Japan's, but it is the world's. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all nations to prevent another nuclear disaster for the safety and well-being of all our children.

2009 Hiroshima Sponsors- Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Japanese American Citizens League, Portland Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Peace and Justice Works, Oregon Hiroshima Club, SGI-USA Buddhists, American Friends Service Committee, Metanoia Peace Community-United Methodist Church, Hanford Challenge, United Nations Association of Oregon, Portland Japanese Garden, City of Portland, Office of Human Relations, Japanese Buddhists, Thousand Waves, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, Kol Shalom, Community for Humanistic Judaism, Great Vow Zen Monastery,  Multnomah Friends Meeting, American Iranian Friendship Council, Hanford Watch

For more information on Hiroshima/Nagasaki and nuclear disarmament, please visit WILPF's Disarm website.

Visit Portland State Master's of Conflict Resolution graduate Akiko Yamakawa's blog about U.S. military presence in Okinawa here.

Hiroshima Day Oregonian Advertisement

Every year, PSR commemorates Hiroshima Day by taking out an advertisement in The Oregonian to remind the public of the continued threat posed by nuclear weapons and by hosting, with sponsors listed above, a ceremony to mark the anniversary.

The ad contains a brief statement about the past horrors and present threat of nuclear weapons. The ad is funded by 150 or more supporters who each contribute $35 and their name to be listed on the ad.

If you would like to support this project and have your name listed, or for more information on this program, contact: Oregon PSR  503-274-2720

Join The World Peace Prayer Society on our annual Hiroshima Day Global Link Teleconference

The teleconference is held LIVE from Hiroshima Peace Park. You will be able to hear the Peace Bell and join the minute of silence with tens of thousands at the Park -- all of Japan stops for the minute of silence. Our members (of The World Peace Prayer Society) in Hiroshima will host the teleconference there.  After the minute of silence we will have a world peace ceremony to send peace to every country on earth - 192 countries will be highlighted.  Everyone on the teleconference will join in the ceremony.  We have people from all over the world who call in.

Information on our Hiroshima Day and the Global Link Teleconference is below. 

HIROSHIMA DAY
GLOBAL LINK TELECONFERENCE
Join us in a
LIVE Teleconference with Hiroshima for One Minute of Silence
followed by The World Peace Prayer Ceremony
Japan Time August 6th 8:00am - 9:00am
USA Time August 5th 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST
GMT  August 4th 11:00 pm
Call in Number - (USA) 1-877-380-7755 ~ Pass Code: 4434733

http://www.worldpeace.org/activities_teleconference.php

About Thousand Waves:

Thousand Waves

Thousand Waves celebrates music of different traditions and different worlds. The koto is an ancient instrument of Chinese origin and Japanese tradition. The guitar’s ancient lineage, which precedes its Spanish heritage, may also be found in both ancient eastern and western cultures. The flute, like the guitar, is an instrument with a rich history from the four corners of the earth.

Peter Zisa

Peter Zisa is an accomplished award winning classical guitarist “ who delicately blends melodic line and texture into an exciting musical experience”(L.A. Times.) In his formative years he studied David Grimes and Guy Horn, and  in master classes with such renowned guitarists as Maestro Andres Segovia, Jose Rey Del La Torre, Oscar Ghiglia, Pepe and Angel Romero. In addition to performances at universities and various concert series across the U.S. and abroad, Zisa has performed on television and radio.

Peter teaches at Portland Community College (Rock Creek campus) and Marylhurst University, where he is Coordinator of Guitar Studies. Over the years Peter’s students have received honors and first prize awards at various guitar competitions across the country, including the coveted GFA Competition. Some these students have gone on to appear on television and radio (From the Top), enjoyed opportunities to perform guitar concerti with notable orchestras, and have even performed in Carnegie Hall. An active supporter for the development and growth of the arts in the community, as well as charitable organizations which benefit children and young people, Peter regularly performs and conducts master classes at community cultural music centers, elementary schools, high schools,  and college campuses.

Yukiko Vossen

“Yukiko Vossen’s performance on the Koto [Japanese harp] is exquisitely refined and dynamically vibrant.” Yukiko, born in Yamaguchi, received her primary training from Grand Master Masazumi Mizuno and Gasho Okuno. She received her pre-master certificate from Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music with honors. Yukiko’s performances in the U.S. include concerts as an ensemble member under the direction of extraordinary Jazz shakuhachi (bamboo flute) player/ composer John Kaizan Neptune and the world renowned Koto virtuoso Kazue Sawai. During her most recent studies at Marylhurst University in Music Therapy, Yukiko has received musical direction from Mitsuki Dazai. In the past year Yukiko has performed concerts and lecture performances with Peter Zisa; their most recent educational performance lectures “West meets East,” explores and features the diverse and rich musical landscapes of the koto and the classical guitar.

LeeAnn Sterling

 LeeAnn Sterling possesses a remarkable blend of artistry and virtuosity; she is a consummate soloist and an ensemble performer. Her distinguished performance career has taken her across the United States and throughout Europe. During that time she has worked with such renowned flutists as Jean-Pierre Rampal, Lois Schaeffer (Boston Symphony), Donald Peck (Chicago Symphony), Carol Wincenc, Mindi Kaufman (New York Philharmonic), Julius Baker (New York Philharmonic), Richard Trombley and John Solumn.

Sterling, a professor of flute studies at Marylhurst University, is firm believer in the development of young talent and community work. She performs regularly at and works with various high schools throughout the Portland area. 

            LeeAnn has formed a diverse range of professional musical partnerships within the Portland community. She performs in consort with the Oregon Chamber Players, Rose City Duo with harpist Kate Petak. Most recently LeeAnn performances with classical guitarist Peter Zisa and Japanese harpist (koto) Yukiko Vossen has culminated in a unique series of performances – “West Meets East” – of Japanese and Western-European music.