It is an honor and pleasure to send this message on the occasion of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration in Eugene, Oregon.
On Aug. 6, 1945, a single atomic bomb rendered Hiroshima a scorched plain and burned tens of thousands in its flames. By year’s end, 140,000 irreplaceable lives had been taken. Those who managed to survive, their lives grotesquely distorted, were left to suffer serious physical and emotional aftereffects compounded by discrimination and prejudice. Nuclear weapons are an absolute evil and the ultimate inhumanity.
This absolute evil in the form of more than 15,000 nuclear weapons still exists in the world, threatening the very survival of human beings. As long as such weapons remain, anyone could become a hibakusha [survivor of the 1945 atomic explosions] at any time.
Human beings, regardless of differences of nationality, race, religion and language, share the planet to live out our one-time-only lives. To coexist, instead of resorting to the inhumane threat posed by nuclear weapons, we must value person-to-person relationships and build a world that allows forward-looking dialogue.
Toward this end, Hiroshima calls on everyone throughout the world to share the sincere message of our hibakusha — “No one else should ever suffer as we have” — and to act with us. The spirit of this heartrending message, forged through suffering and sorrow, transcending hatred and rejection, is generosity and love for humanity with a focus on the future of humankind. Mayors for Peace, an organization that is presided over by the city of Hiroshima and has more than 7,000 member cities, shares the hibakusha’s message and has devoted itself to mobilizing people and increasing international momentum toward negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention. Our goal is total abolition by 2020.
The need for a legal framework to ban nuclear weapons has been increasingly recognized by the international community. Toward that end, cities, NGOs [non governmental organizations] and citizens are expected to play a role in urging policymakers around the world to share in the hibakusha’s sentiment and to tirelessly engage in dialogue; the role these groups play is becoming more important than ever. In this sense, your commemorative event held again this year in Eugene, an important member of Mayors for Peace, is truly significant and I extend my deepest respect for your commitment.
Recently, President Barack Obama of the United States visited Hiroshima and reaffirmed his commitment to work for nuclear abolition, stating, “Among those nations like my own that hold nuclear stockpiles, we must have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them.”
Seizing this opportunity, the city of Hiroshima intends to redouble our efforts to strengthen international momentum for nuclear abolition through various initiatives such as inspiring people to visit the A-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
I would like to ask all of you to continue to strive with us to eliminate the absolute evil of nuclear weapons and to realize a peaceful world.
In closing, I extend my best wishes for the good health and happiness of all in attendance. — Matsui Kazumi
A Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration honoring those who died when the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is 7:30 pm Saturday, Aug. 6, at Alton Baker Park’s small shelter, near the duck pond and park entrance. There will be a talk by Mayor Kitty Piercy, drumming by Eugene Taiko, traditional Japanese Obon dancing and music by the Yujin Gakuen Children’s Peace Choir. The event will close at dusk with the floating of candle lanterns on the duck pond while Koto master Mitsuki Dazai plays traditional Japanese music. Contact: Michael Carrigan at CALC, 541-485-1755 or calcpeace@efn.org.
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519