On June 12, 1982 – 34 years ago today – over 1 million people flooded the streets of New York City to demand an end to nuclear weapons. To this day, it is still the largest political demonstration in American history.
This unprecedented level of organizing and activism was directly responsible for the decline in nuclear weapons across the world. It was a historic victory in the fight to eliminate nuclear weapons.
But we’re far from finished.
In 1982, the world was bristling with over 57,000 nuclear weapons. But through successful diplomacy (backed by tremendous public pressure), the United States and Russia were able to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and greatly decrease the likelihood of a nuclear attack… for a while.
Despite the progress we saw in the 80’s, nuclear weapons experts agree that the risk of a nuclear attack today is even higher than it was during the Cold War.
That’s because although the number of nukes in the world has decreased, the readiness to use them has steadily increased. That’s why we’ve got to keep going.
In 1982, citizens across America proved that activism works. And we believe that it still works today.
Without this extraordinary showing of people power, the Global Zero movement would not exist as we know it today. Our movement stands on those activists’ shoulders, and today we hope you’ll stand with us in honoring them.
If you wish to donate to this cause, see https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5542/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=14087
Fight on,
Meredith Horowski
Global Campaign Director
Global Zero
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