Tag Archives: Ban the bomb

While you were away… We banned the bomb!

Posted on by

NOW SIGN THE TREATY!

Today marks the first day of the Parliament’s spring sitting in Canberra. Vintage Reds joined ICAN this morning to welcome members of parliament and staff back to work: While_you_were_away.jpgPhoto: Jude Dodd

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons had a historic success at the UN in New York this last month, when 122 countries signed a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Australia, though, squibbed; it voted against the 2016 UN resolution that established the mandate to negotiate a treaty, and did not take part in the Treaty process.

Anthony Albanese added his voice to our call on the government to think again, for heaven’s sake:

Photo: Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP)

Ban the Bomb — Finally!

Posted on by

2017-6-17_Nuc_ban_rally.jpgVintage Reds joined a rally held in Garema Place on 17 June to mark the drafting at the United Nations in New York of a treaty to ban and eliminate nuclear weapons.

A poll of a thousand Australians earlier this year found 73% in favour of our government supporting such a treaty; only 10% were opposed. The Turnbull government has chosen to go with the 10%.

Since then the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been finalized, with 122 countries in favour, out of the 123 which took part in drawing up the treaty (a total of 192 countries are represented at the UN).

Speakers were Alex White (UnionsACT), Barbara O’Dwyer (WILPF), Angela Chen Chen & Byron Knight (ANU), George Browning (former Anglican bishop) and Sue Wareham (ICAN).

The Table Reds sang John Brunner’s song, “Don’t you hear the H-bomb’s thunder”, composed for the first Aldermaston anti-nuclear bomb march by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in 1958. This choral group performed first at the Vintage Reds Christmas lunch some years ago and specializes in four-part a capella songs.

“Men and women, stand together; do not heed the men of war.
Make your minds up, now or never; ban the bomb for ever more!”

ICAN_rally_17_Jun_2017.jpgPhoto: Bron King