Schwerin sets a sign: flag for peace and disarmament.

Schwerin sets a sign: flag for peace and disarmament.

Schwerin, Deutschland - On July 8, 2023, over 600 German cities set a strong sign for peace and nuclear disarmament. Schwerin, the state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, had the flag of "Mayors for Peace" in front of the town hall on the market square that day. In his speech, Mayor Rico Badenschier recalled the devastating atomic bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago and underlined the urgency to free the world of nuclear weapons. He clearly warned that the risk of spreading nuclear weapons must first be taken seriously in order to protect future generations. According to a legal opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 8, 1996, the use of nuclear weapons is considered to be violent. This shows how important the ongoing negotiations for nuclear disarmament are under international control, and [Nordkurier] (https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/chwerin/80-jahre-nach-hiroshima and-nagasaki-Tombombomben-hisst--Mayors-FORS-PECE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE-FLAGGE- around 12,241 nuclear warheads exist.

concern about the growing modernization of nuclear arsenals, especially in states such as China, is a central topic. The "New Start" contract, which regulates strategic nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia, expires at the beginning of next year. So far, nothing indicates that an extension of the agreement would be in sight, which significantly increases the risk of a new nuclear arms. According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute Sipri, it is therefore indispensable that cities and municipalities actively participate in the peace movement.

a global network for peace

The organization "Mayors for Peace" was launched in 1982 by the then mayor of Hiroshima, Takeshi Araki, to raise awareness of the abolition of nuclear weapons. It now connects over 8,480 cities in 166 countries, including almost 900 in Germany. This initiative is not only a symbol of peace, but has also established itself as a platform to tackle important topics such as hunger, poverty and human rights. The aim is to make the painful experiences of the Hibakusha - the survivors of the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - to be heard and to carry their message into the world: "Nobody should suffer like us" - an appeal that is still of great importance today. The page of Mayors for Peace.

The Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (Hope) and many local governments are working as part of this initiative to raise the voice of Hibakusha and fight for a world without nuclear weapons. On the coming August 6th, the first at the 80th anniversary of the first atomic bomb. On the occasion of this anniversary, a special website was set up to send a peace message from Hiroshima to the world. This message is aimed not only at today's adults, but above all in future generations that are supposed to live in a peaceful and nuclear weapons -free world - a vision that has significance far beyond national borders.

A call to participate

An international awareness of the need for nuclear disarmament is sought and everyone is called to participate in this movement. "Mayors for Peace" wants to turn 2025 into a turning point for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. With the mobilization of citizens and municipalities, a strong sign is set that the desire for peace and security can not only be a dream, but also an achievable reality if we act together. A comprehensive picture of the current situation and the goals can also be found on the official website of the Hiroshima prefecture, in which the global efforts for peace are documented: Hiroshima Prefektur.