You Folded Your Origami Crane….Now What?

Over the last week, social media has been inundated with photos of people around the world folding origami paper cranes to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The folding of cranes originated with Sadako Sasaki, a young girl and survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. A few years later, Sasaki developed leukemia. Her friend explained to her that the crane was a sacred bird in Japan and lived to be 100 years old. If a sick person folded 1,000 cranes, legend said they would become healthy again. Upon hearing this, Sasaki began folding. When Sasaki passed, she had folded well over 1,000 cranes and this act became a symbol of peace.

Folding a paper crane is a chance to bring people together, educate others on the issue, and provide a sense of agency for those who feel that they are helpless in the struggle to eliminate nuclear weapons. However, what often happens is that for one week in August, people fold cranes and post on social media. Once the next week begins….silence. For some, dealing with so many issues in both their professional and personal life does not allow for them to do more. For others, this is simply a performative gestures and as far as they are willing to go.

Boycott Launched to Halt GE Nuclear Arms Production

A nationwide boycott of General Electric consumer appliances was launched Thursday by a coalition of labor unions, religious groups and health associations opposed to the corporation’s manufacture of nuclear weapons.

Los Angeles TimesLOU FINTOR

Many however, want to do more but do not know what or how to advocate for nuclear disarmament. Here are a few suggestions:

• One can be conscious of what and who they wear, what they eat, where they shop, who they follow, and listen to. These are small acts of resistance that collectively can be effective.
• Educate yourself on the nuclear issue. There is no shortage of sources including websites, books, documentaries, and experts on social media. Learn about the issue, think critically, and perhaps start a book club.
• Vote your conscience. Find out where your local, state, and Federal representatives stand on the nuclear issue. If they support disarmament, support them. If they don’t, call them out at town halls, in your local paper, and online.

• Divestment: Support a divestment campaign in your city or state. You can also make sure you are not supporting nuclear weapons making producers in your 401k. Organizers in New York were able to have over $400 million divested from the New York City pension fund from weapons manufacturers.

New York City Decides to Divest from Nuclear Weapons

The city of New York has made an important leap towards de-funding the production of nuclear weapons. The city council passed binding resolutions that include a legal obligation to divest itself of all investments that include any aspect of nuclear weapons’ design or production. That may represent a divestment of almost a half billion dollars.…

NuclearBan.USDavid Grant

• Use your individual gifts: Use your ability to write, sculpt, draw, sing, or dance to educate, motivate, and inspire others to take up the antinuclear banner. You have more power than you think!
• Think Global, Act Local: Make sure your city or town is a nuclear free zone, your mayor is part of Mayors for Peace, your city has signed the city appeal for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

We are closer to nuclear war than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis. We cannot organize for one week, fold paper cranes, fall back into our normal lives and expect a different result when it comes to the nuclear threat. However, it is understandable that individuals feel helpless or are exhausted from trying to combat Israel’s actions in Gaza, Russia’s in Ukraine, or Trump in the US, while also dealing with the day-to-day struggles of putting food on the table, keeping the lights on, and maintaining your mental health.

Hopefully these few suggestions can provide agency for those who want to continue to act to eliminate nuclear weapons and will collectively help to build a movement we once had in which millions demanded an end to the arms race and forced the world to change course.

Companies Overview

Nuclear Times pulled together a list of some of the top companies involved in nuclear weapons production. Don’t Bank on the Bomb is an excellent resource for tracking which companies are enabling nuclear weapons development.

Don’t Bank on the Bomb – Who profits from producing nuclear weapons?

Don't Bank on the Bomb Who profits from producing nuclear weapons?DontBankontheBomb

Don’t Bank on the Bomb maintains a database of financial institutions involved in financing nuclear weapons. See if your bank is on the list.