All posts by Kat McNeal

Dennis Nelson Testimony, 2005: “The View from Downwind: Justice for the Victims? A Commentary

International Meeting 2005 World Conference against A & H Bombs

Dennis Nelson Support and Education for Radiation Victims (SERV) U.S.A.

The View from Downwind: Justice for the Victims? A Commentary

For almost 30 years the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) conducted atomic tests in the continental United States (US) with an absolute assurance of safety. Workers, military personnel and the civilian populations near the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were exposed to radioactive fallout from the bomb tests but were told emphatically that “there is no danger.” Sometimes this assurance was couched in the phrase “there is no ‘immediate’ danger.” Except for a few skeptics, such as my aunt Irma Thomas in St George, UT, these assurances were accepted at face value by the trusting residents of the downwind communities. Although there had been isolated incidents of skin burns and patchy hair loss experienced by downwind individuals after episodes of fallout, it was not until several years had passed that the first major indications of harm appeared. These were manifest by an early excess of leukemia and lymphoma in this population, and later on by an increased incidence of thyroid and other cancers.

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2016 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Events Calendar with Hibakusha and Downwinder Testimonies

TeDear Friends,

For the past 35 years, the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area has been organizing for the abolition of nuclear weapons and nuclear power, and in support of nuclear victims. We believe that if the world is to avoid repeating the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we must strive to keep alive the memory of the bombings.

This year we welcome a Hibakusha from Hiroshima and a downwinder from St. George, UT.
Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki, Hiroshima Hibakusha, is Vice President of Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo and a former Executive Board member of Nihon Hidankyo, The Confederation of A & H Bomb Survivors Organizations. He is also an active farmer.

Mr. Dennis Nelson, Director of Support and Education for Radiation Victims (SERV) U.S.A., is a Downwinder from St. George Utah. He & his wife Denise Nelson provide information regarding radiation exposures to victims worldwide.

Please add these atomic bombing commemoration events to your calendar. And, please forward this message widely to your community.

In Struggle,
John Steinbach

2016 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Events Calendar with Hibakusha and Downwinder Testimonies

Friday, August 5, 6:45 pm
Hiroshima Peace Commemoration
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, National Mall
Moment’s silence at 7:15 pm, Hibakusha testimony, nuclear update, candlelight vigil.

Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am
Bike Around the Bomb sponsored by Global Zero
Lafayette Park in front of White House
Mr. Mimaki will address the rally and lead the bicycle ride

Sunday, August 7, 6:30 pm
Baltimore Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration with Hibakusha Testimony
Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21218
The program will be preceded by a 5:30pm vigil at 33rd & North Charles St.
Sponsored by Baltimore Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee.

Monday, August 8, 7:30 pm
Survivor Testimony and Candlelight Vigil
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005.
Hibakusha Testimony, cultural program featuring the DC Labor Chorus. 9:30 candlelight procession to White House for a moment’s silence and sharing of thoughts for peace at 10:02 pm

Tuesday, August 9
Frederick Maryland Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration
Hibakusha/Downwinder Testimonies, 7pm
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 West Church Street Frederick, MD 21701
Sponsored by Frederick Women in Black