AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Tell Congress: Sign On to Stand Against Nuclear War Mass Peace Action

Mass Peace Action Jerald Ross<info@masspeaceaction.org>

4/18/2019 4:35 PM

To Al Johnson

Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Nuclear War

Dear Al,

President Trump is pushing the world ever closer to Armageddon with his reckless withdrawal from the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) and illegal efforts to destroy the Iran nuclear agreement.

Fortunately, Massachusetts Senators Markey and Warren, and Congressional Representatives McGovern and Clark, are stepping up to this challenge. But the rest of our Congressional delegation has not yet cosponsored the bills they have offered. We need Mass. Peace Action members to urge the rest of our Representatives to join in these courageous efforts.

Three bills have been introduced to literally bring us “Back from the Brink” by establishing a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons by the United States, de-alerting our nuclear missiles, and canceling the insane $1.5 Trillion plan to build up our nuclear arsenal. Please write your House representative today to support these important bills.

Senator Ed Markey, along with California Representative Ted Lieu in the House, have reintroduced their bills (HR 669/S 200)to prohibit the President from conducting a “first-use nuclear strike unless expressly authorized to do so by a Congressional declaration of war.” Reps. McGovern and Clark have signed on so far this year. If your representative is missing contact him/her and tell them to support Senator Markey. There is no reason why this bill, which signifies real resistance to our impulsive president, is not co-sponsored by every member of the Massachusetts delegation. The only thing lacking is public pressure.

Another critical piece of legislation is Senator Elizabeth Warren and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith’s No First Use Bill, (HR 921/S 272). This historic bill states simply and powerfully “It is the policy of the United States to not use nuclear weapons first.” Only Representative McGovern has stepped forward to cosponsor this legislation. Where are the rest of our delegation? Senator Warren and Representative McGovern need our support. If you’re in another district, contact your rep and explain that any use of nuclear weapons would be both genocidal and suicidal and you DEMAND they get behind this bill.

Please ask your member of Congress to support steps to prevent nuclear war.

In a remarkable show of political courage, Representative McGovern (D–2nd District) has introduced legislation, H Res. 302. This bill embraces the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and unequivocally states that nuclear weapons “pose an intolerable risk to human survival.” It calls on the President to “make nuclear disarmament the centerpiece of the national security policy of the United States,” curtails the president’s authority to unilaterally launch a nuclear strike, and establishes a no first use policy for our country. These are all fundamental steps towards nuclear disarmament. Contact Jim McGovern’s office to commend him on his courage and insight and then thank him personally by coming to the State Peace and Justice Organizing Conference in Worcester on May 11th where he will be the keynote speaker. In the meantime, if you live in another district, it is critical to contact your legislator to ask them to sign on as a cosponsor of this bill. Representative McGovern is out there all alone at this point.

Please send a message to your House representative to support these important bills.

Yours for Peace,