Here are resources in one place that you can download and use as we prepare for January 22, 2021 and beyond. We will add to this page as more resources become available.
BANNER
The banner is sized at 3′ x 8’—perfect for holding at a socially appropriate distance. You can download the pdf file (below the banner) and order a banner from a local print shop or an on-line shop. We recommend having grommets installed if you plan to hang it…
If you prefer a smaller banner, you can simply scale this down. Tell your printer (you can likely even get a paper version at OfficeMax or Staples) you want a banner that is 1 1/2 feet by 4 feet—perfect for one person to hold!
================================================
POSTER
A poster size (24 x 30 inches) version of the Treaty with the Prohibitions highlighted. You can download the pdf file (below the image) and get it printed at almost any printer—UPS store, FedEx kinko’s, or your friendly local printer. You can mount it on poster board with double sided tape…
===========================================
FACT SHEET
You can download the one-page fact sheet and use it for educational purposes; you can also enclose it in any message you send to a member of Congress or other officials…
======
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Download this pdf for a dozen (or more) ideas of things that you can do on January 22, complete with links to resources.
======
DRAFT MEDIA RELEASE
Because most of the mainstream media is not tracking the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, it would be good to contact your local media well in advance to give them a heads up. Then perhaps a reminder a week or so before. And then again on the day before or day of. Finally, a follow-up after/action report, along with a thank you if they covered your action/event.
Here is some suggested language, along with tips for formatting a media release if you are new to the game. Hit the download button to get the entire document and all the tips.
======
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR!
A letter to the editor can impact hundreds or thousands of people; it also helps to set the agenda for discussions in the public square. Here is a sample letter (most papers these days limit letters to 150 words). Feel free to adapt it or use it as it is. You can download the template by clicking the button below…
======
WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSPERSON!
With few exceptions, Senators and Congressmen/women are unlikely to pay any attention to the Treaty—after all, we haven’t signed it, so why should they? Your letter, combined with the letters of your fellow constituents, can change that. Here is some draft language—you can also draw from the Fact Sheet (above) for other tidbits. You do not have to be an expert to write—experts got us into this mess to begin with. Heart felt letters are better.
How to write: Compose your letter, then “copy” it. Go to your Senator/Rep’s website and click on the Contact Me page/button. Fill in your information, and in the block for your message, position your cursor and “paste”—voila! There’s your letter!
=======
DRAFT LETTER TO A UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE PRESIDENT
Nuclear weapons don’t build themselves. Corporations, funded by the government, build them. But many academic institutions play key roles in supporting nuclear weapons production—some of them even are the operating managers of weapons production facilities. ICAN has compiled a report that lists the Schools of Mass Destruction in the United States. If you check out the report, you might find details about a particular school’s activities that you want to include in your letter to the President of your nearby school.
We have drafted some language you might consider using to write your letter—and if you know faculty, students, or members of the Administration at the school, you might send them a copy. They probably have no idea their school is helping build weapons of mass destruction. You can also send a copy to local media contacts…
======
RING CHURCH BELLS
In the 1980s, St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona had a large sign on display at the busy intersection in front of the church that read “It’s a sin to build a nuclear weapon.”
It reminds us of the final message of Philip Berrigan before he died in December of 2002: “I die with the conviction, held since 1968 and Catonsville, that nuclear weapons are the scourge of the earth; to mine for them, manufacture them, deploy them, use them, is a curse against God, the human family, and the earth itself.”
And now, looking ahead: On January 22, 2021, people in the U.S. and throughout the world will celebrate the day that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force. On that day, nuclear weapons will be illegal!!
We invite churches and faith communities to “ring in” the new Treaty at noon on that day, with church bells or hand bells in front of their building. Signs, flyers, etc. announcing the Treaty will be available for use.
Please contact <nuclearbantreatyEIF@gmx.com> or <nukeresister@igc.org> if you have any questions or plan to participate. We’ll include news of planned events in a press release.
Here’s a blurb that your faith community might use in a newsletter or email to explain why they are doing this.
On January 22, 2021, peace-loving people throughout the world will be celebrating the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On that day, nuclear weapons will be illegal! We will be ringing our church bells at noon on that day to “ring in” the new Treaty. More information about the Treaty is here: https://www.icanw.org/signature_and_ratification_status
One community member offers this sample of a letter written to request the ringing of bells by his place of worship and offers it as a template…
Dear . . .
I hope you, your family and your congregation had a happy and safe holiday season.
I’m writing on behalf of the Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace regarding the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As you may already know, the Treaty has been signed by 86 nations, ratified by 51, and enters into force as world law on January 22nd. Since the US isn’t a signatory it doesn’t technically apply to the US, but we think the US should sign it.
People across the US and around the world (including GVCP) will be celebrating the treaty with banner hangings, visits and letters to elected officials, public readings of the treaty, bell-ringings and more.
GVCP would like to ask you to have church bells rung at 12:00 Noon on Friday, January 22nd in celebration of this treaty (which I personally feel is something Jesus would have supported).
Please let me know what you think and thanks!
========
CAN’T GET TO AN ACTION OR EVENT? YOU CAN STILL DO THIS!
Be part of the moment and the movement on social media!
JOIN THE ACTION FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE
January 22, 2021
Celebrate with others around the world and show your support: On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force and nuclear weapons will be illegal! Take a photo of yourself with an 8 1/2 x 11” signs, or make one of your own! Use the hashtags #nuclearban and #TPNW and post it on 1/22/2021 on Facebook (including on the Nuclear Ban Treaty EIF page), Twitter, Instagram and elsewhere.
Click here to go to the page with the signs that you can download for printing.
Join thousands of peace-loving people on this historic day, which the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) so eloquently describes as “the beginning of the end of nuclear weapons”!
For more information about the treaty, click here.
For an idea of what sorts of events will be happening on that day in the U.S., click here.
========
MEDIA PACKET
We have prepared a media packet with a sample press release, a Fact Sheet, a list of people available for interviews, a list of actions happening across the country and more! We encourage you to use this packet with your local media. You can download each piece and use what works for you. Here’s the link to the media packet page.
