It was standing room only for the powerful meeting in Parliament on Wednesday 16 July, to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Organised by Parliamentary CND, we were honoured to hear from second-generation Hibakusha, Kyoko Gibson, as our special guest speaker.
Born in Hiroshima in 1948, Kyoko spoke movingly about growing up with family and a community traumatised by the sheer devastation wrought upon the city three years prior. Having survived the initial bombing, the lingering radiation resulted in thousands dying of health complications over the coming decades. Born three years after the bombing, Kyoko too has suffered from health complications throughout her life. However, these experiences, like many Hibakusha, have led her to a life of peace and anti-nuclear activism – a true inspiration to those working for a world free from nuclear dangers.
CND would also like to express our thanks to our other guests:
His Excellency Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, South African High Commissioner to the UK. South Africa was the first African nation to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It is at the forefront of the Global South’s contribution to the movement for global nuclear disarmament and for the upholding of international law; Parliament CND Vice-Chair Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, for speaking about the links between nuclear weapons, racism and colonialism; Liz Saville-Roberts MP; and Labour National Executive Committee member Jess Barnard.
Please find below a gallery of images from the event below, along with actions you can take to mark this important anniversary and support the work of CND.
Donate to our 80th anniversary Hiroshima and Nagasaki appeal or purchase one of our No More Hiroshima t-shirts.
Nuclear dangers have never been higher. Join CND today here and help us campaign for a nuclear weapons-free future so the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be repeated.
Please share the posts about the Parliamentary event on CND’s Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads accounts.
Find a Hiroshima and Nagasaki commmoration event near you using our interactive map here. If you’re organsing an event that isn’t there, email information@cnduk.org with all the details and we’ll add it.
