Peace activists from the world around—including two from PeaceWorks Kansas City—have swarmed to New York. They’re attending the second meeting, at the UN, of the “states parties to” (states that are “party to”) the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which took effect in 2021. Ann Suellentrop and Kimmy Igla, who serve on the PeaceWorks Board, are attending UN sessions, as well as peace activist gatherings.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICANW) is holding 63 events around the UN meetings. “Last night (11/27), they had a wonderful concert that gave the history of New York City and the Manhattan Project,” said Ann. “The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) is also holding many events; tonight we will go to an awards ceremony near the UN.” Sounds exciting, huh? Enjoy these pictures by Ann!

Background: The TPNW has now been ratified by 69 countries, not including the nuclear weapon states of the US, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, North Korea, Israel, India, Pakistan. As these photos and cutlines suggest, various US cities are supporting the TPNW, a way to encourage US lawmakers to push for the US to sign the document. The treaty prohibits participating in any nuclear weapon
activities, including developing, testing, producing, acquiring, possessing, stockpiling, and using or threatening to use nuclear weapons. This meeting of the states parties to the treaty is 11/27-12/1.