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Perspective: A Message From The Ashes

Samuel Schiro
/
Pixabay

The mayor of Nagasaki, Japan, has made a plea to the world, including his own government.

And to all communities in Illinois.

He wants us to remember what happened 75 years ago on Aug. 9, 1945, when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on his city, three days after doing the same to Hiroshima. We killed thousands to end the war and the loss of more lives. 

In the ashes was a clear message for the conscience of the world that this should never happen again.

Mayor Tomihisa Taue said, "We are not making an appeal as past victims, but as global citizens who live in a world where the danger of nuclear weapons is very real."

He noted the city of Evanston was the first in Illinois to pass a resolution urging Congress to sign the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and take these actions:

• End the option of using nuclear weapons first.

• End the president's unchecked authority to launch a nuclear attack.

• Take nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert.

• Do not replace our entire arsenal with enhanced weapons.

• And work to eliminate nuclear arsenals in other countries.

The mayor said: "The atomic-bombed cities bear the important responsibility of passing on their legacies which humanity must never forget."

Yes, never forget. 

We can do our part ... by joining Evanston's voice.

Perhaps world leaders eventually will listen as voices get louder.

So ... where does your community stand? Where do you stand?

I’m Lonny Cain … and that’s my Perspective.

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