HUNTER Peace Group has paused in Civic Park to mark 72 years since the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 129,000 people.
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Group convener, Lynda Forbes, said the group formed a year ago with assistance from the Union of Australian Women, Hunter Workers, the Maritime Union of Australia and members of the Greek community. “We were ashamed there was no recognition in Newcastle of the 70th anniversary of Hiroshima Day,” Ms Forbes said. “We used to be such a vibrant, passionate peace city. We need to say no to nuclear weapons, to weapons of mass destruction and to war. Young people are coming back mentally destroyed.”
The crowd of about 50 heard from speakers including International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Australia’s Gem Romuld, who said 122 nations (but not Australia) had voted to adopt the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty can be signed from September 20 and needs to be ratified by at least 50 countries.
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
