NFTPC Annual Report 2008-2009 Final Version

8/9/2019 NFTPC Annual Report 2008-2009 Final Version

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Annual Report, Nuclear Free Takoma Park Committee, 2008 2009.

Activities in 2008-2009 include the following:

25th Anniversary. During Fall 2008, the NFTPC was focused on planning for the 25th anniversary, markedwith a celebration in Council Chambers on Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

References:oResolution Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of Adoption of the Takoma Park Nuclear-Free Zone Act

and Declaring December 7-13, 2008 as Nuclear-Free Zone Week. Resolution 2008-88 was

introduced by Councilmember Snipper (Ward 5). Attached as Appendix 1 (pp. 2-3).

oPrinted program of the event attached as Appendix 2 (pp. 4-7).oVideo of the event available online: http://takomapark.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=72

Wind Power. At the 25th Anniversary, the Committees presentation challenged the City to go fully Nuclear-freenot only weapons-free, but also nuclear power-free. Councilmember Wright (Ward 1) took up this

important measure. On April 15, 2009 NFTPC adopted a Resolution in support of nuclear-free electricity in

Takoma Park. This resolution called on the City to budget for a shift from 25% to 100% purchase of

electricity from renewable sources. In response to this recommendation, the shift to 100% purchase of

electricity from wind power occurred in July 2009.

References:

oResolution in support of nuclear-free electricity in Takoma Park. Attached as Appendix 3 (p. 8). Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol. Committee work in late 2009 resulted in January 11, 2010 testimony before

Council on this important push for achieving a nuclear-free world by the year 2020, within the framework of

the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. As a result, a resolution in support of the protocol was passed, and

Mayor Bruce Williams was thereby also authorized to sign on to the Cities Appeal in support of the HNP.

References:

oResolution Supporting the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol and Authorizing the Mayor to Sign theMayors for Peace Cities Appeal in Support of the Protocol. Resolution 2010-7 was introduced byCouncilmember Robinson (Ward 3). Attached as Appendix 4 (pp. 9-10).

oCities Appeal in support of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol. Attached as Appendix 5 (p. 11).oHiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol. Attached as Appendix 6 (p. 12).

Public Outreach.oWeblog. In conjunction with the 25th anniversary, the Committee began a weblog. Primarily used as an

outreach tool for NFTPC-sponsored activities, it has also been used on occasion to promote

opportunities for education and activism around issues related to nuclear disarmament and alternatives

to nuclear energy.

References:

http://nftpc.blogspot.com/ http://www.blogger.com/profile/11553032753136919678

oSignage. Mapping current and former city locations of Nuclear Free Zone signs resulted inreplacement of all signs by Public Works in 2009.

oCommunity table at the Folk Festival. The Committee tabled, and sold t-shirts, at a booth sponsoredby Takoma Park-based advocacy group Beyond Nuclear.

oTiling with the Takoma Mosaic Project. Committee members participated in creating a tile for theCommunity Center in an activity sponsored by the Takoma Mosaic Project.

Respectfully submitted,

Takoma Park Nuclear Free Committee.Chair: Jay Levy. Members: Julie Boddy, Linda Gunter, Jim Kuhn, Robert Rini.

April 21, 2010

Annual Report, Nuclear Free Takoma Park Committee, 2008 2009. Page 1


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Introduced by: Councilmember Snipper

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND

RESOLUTION 2008-88

Resolution Recognizing the 25th

Anniversary of Adoption of the Takoma Park Nuclear-Free Zone Act and Declaring December 7-13, 2008 as Nuclear-Free Zone Week

WHEREAS, renewed production of nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons, with their immense

drain on the world's resources, presents humanity and all of creation with a

magnified specter of nuclear holocaust and attendant epidemic of cancer

incidence; and

WHEREAS, the production of nuclear energy creates highly radioactive nuclear waste whose

transportation, along with the transportation of other nuclear materials, further

increases the risks to public safety; and

WHEREAS, there is no adequate method of protecting Takoma Park residents and their

neighbors from either a nuclear attack or transport accident; and

WHEREAS, the failure of nations to agree on sustainable treaties for curtailing nuclear

proliferation makes it necessary for people themselves and for their local

representatives to assert and reassert their dedication to ending threats such as

these; and

WHEREAS, the United States, as the leading producer of nuclear weapons, is an ideal place to

begin; and

WHEREAS, popular resolve has proven able to reduce the threat of nuclear disaster; and

WHEREAS, the gift of public wealth to the nuclear industry, and the nuclear-polluted water,

air and land that have resulted, limit the wealth we can use for generating a

multitude of jobs in producing and distributing sustainable energy choices, in

providing health care for all, and the overall enhancement of the quality of our

lives; and

WHEREAS, on December 12, 1983, Takoma Park, in light of the hugely popular nuclear-free

movement, joined with some 370 city councils, 71 county councils, 446 town

meetings and 150 national and international organizations in endorsing theNuclear Freeze Resolution, establishing itself as a nuclear-free zone; and

WHEREAS, in the intervening years, as governments have fallen and treaties have been

scrapped, much of this enthusiasm has been dissipated; and

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WHEREAS, well aware that the issues continue, the City of Takoma Park has sustained its

commitment to an environment and a future free from toxic nuclear threats; and

WHEREAS, the City of Takoma Park Nuclear-Free Zone Act establishes the City as a nuclear-

free zone in that work on nuclear weapons is prohibited and that harmful exposure

to high-level nuclear waste is limited within the City limits; and

WHEREAS, the Act prohibits the production of nuclear weapons in the City, as well as

facilities, equipment, components, supplies or substances used for the production

of nuclear weapons; and

WHEREAS, the City has adopted a socially responsible investment policy as required by the

Act, specifically addressing any investments the City may have or may plan to

have in industries and institutions which are knowingly and intentionally engaged

in the production of nuclear weapons; and

WHEREAS, the Act mandates that the City and its officials, employees or agents may notknowingly and intentionally grant any award, contract, purchase order, or lease,

directly or indirectly, to any nuclear weapons producer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND, calls upon its residents and all civic and educational

organizations to observe the week of December 7-13, 2008 as Nuclear-Free Zone Week with

appropriate ceremonies and observances to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the

establishment of the nuclear-free zone.

Adopted this 24th day of November, 2008.

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Takoma Park, MDCelebrating 25 Years

asa


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In2008, theCityof Takoma Park, Maryland, celebrates 25 years as anuclear-free zone. The act that brought this about. Ordinance No. 2703,declares Takoma Park a nuclear-free zone (NFZ) in that 'workon nuclearweapons isprohibited within the city limitsand that cmzens andrepresentatives are urged to redirect resources previously used fornuclearweapons toward endeavors which promote and enhance life."Known asthe Takoma Park Nuclear-Free Zone Act, the legislationestablishing the City asa nuclear-free zone includes the following mandatesSpecifically it:

Prohibits theproduction ofnuclear weapons intheCity ofTakomaPark; Prohibits theCityfrom purchasing or leasing productsmanufactured byanuclear weapons producer or from granting anyaward, contract, or purchase order to any nuclear weapons produce Directs theCity to develop and implement asocially-respons ibleinvestment policy prohibiting investments in industries andinstitutions engaged in nuclear weapons produc1lon ; Provides for awaiver of thepurchasing proh ibitions, under certaiconditions ; Monitors nuclear waste transportation issues; and Establishes theseven-member Nuclear-Free Takoma ParkCommittee, appointed bytheMayor and CityCouncil, to overseeimplementation of, and adherence to,theAct.

Within the textof the ordinance is language detailing the Citysconcern forthe thenstill-accelerating nuclear anns race , the obligationof the UnitedStatestobeas responsible forthe disarmingof the world as it had been inanning it, and the recognition of the illegalityofnuclear weapons under theNuremberg Principles. Looking farther back into the nuclear disannamentmovement, the Cityof Takoma Park had already beenon recordsupportinbilateral nucear weapons freeze, and had expressedoppositiontocivildefense crisis planning for nuclear war.Takoma Park's status as a nuclear-free zone isa powerful statement and


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PROGRAMWelcome and Introduction

Mayor Bruce Williams

Short FilmGot Bomb?

(Asatirical look at nuclearweapons madness fromthe Project forNuclear Awareness)

Why is Takoma Park Nuclear-Free?An overview

Jay Levy, Chair , NFTPCNuclear Weapons in Today's World

An ever-present dangerTom Collina, Executive Director, 20-20 Vision

Truly Nuclear-FreeThe nuclear power-nuclear weapons link

Linda Gunter, Co-Founder, Beyond NuclearMusic

Doris Justis


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c now edgmentsMayor Current Members ofthe NuclearBruce Wlliams Free Takoma Park CommitteeCouncil Members JayLevy, ChairJoshWrtght Julie BoddyColleen Clay Linda GunterDan Robinson JimKuhnTerry Seamans RobertRiniReubenSnipperDougBarryFormer mbers ofthe Nuclear-Free TakomaParkCommitteeRuth Abbott, Tom Anastasio, Terry Berkeley, Phil Boyer. AndreaDil orenzo, Adam Frank. Hans Furth, Bob Halpern, Michael Hasty.Polly Hoppin, Joan Jacobs. Krista n Markey, Myles McCord. ReubenSnipper, Tom Roberts . Carl Smith.For more about Nuclear-Free Takoma Park and to join the discussionon our Blog, go to: http :/ /nftpc.blogspot.comTo join the committee, contact th e City of Takoma Park:301.891.7100


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{00013586.DOC.1}

NUCLEAR-FREE TAKOMA PARK COMMITTEE

Resolution in support of nuclear-free electricity in Takoma Park

adopted as of April 15, 2009

Whereas Pepco reportedly generates one-third of the electricity it

sells from nuclear power;

Whereas the City of Takoma Park now purchases one-quarter of the

electricity it uses from wind power;

Whereas, in keeping with our Citys strategic plan commitment to

environmental sustainability, the City of Takoma Park is considering

expanding its purchase of electricity from renewable sources,

specifically wind;

Whereas the generation of electricity from nuclear power results in

nuclear waste disposal and storage problems -- problems that will

persist for hundreds of generations of future Takoma Park residents,

and which are documented to increase health and safety risks;

Whereas the link between nuclear power and the development of nuclear

weaponry is inevitable and historically achieved pathway;

Whereas in a 2005 revision to the Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance the

Nuclear Free Takoma Park Committee was tasked with monitoring and

consulting on issues related to the transportation of high-level

nuclear waste resulting from the production of nuclear weapons and

nuclear energy;

Therefore be it resolved that:

The Nuclear Free Takoma Park Committee urges the City Council, after

consultation with the Takoma Park Committee on the Environment and the

Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee, to purchase 100% power from

wind.



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Introduced by: Councilmember Robinson

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND

RESOLUTION 2010-7

Resolution Supporting the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol and Authorizing the Mayor

to Sign the Mayors for Peace Cities Appeal in Support of the Protocol

WHEREAS, mindful that according to the United Nations Fund for Population, In 2008, for thefirst time in history, more than half of the worlds population will be living in towns and cities; and that

United Cities and Local Governments is recognized by United Nations agencies as the voice of cities

worldwide; and

WHEREAS, taking, in this regard, special note of the support expressed in the 2007 Jeju

Declaration of the Second World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments for the Mayors for

Peace campaign, which lobbies the international community to renounce weapons of mass destruction;

and

WHEREAS, noting that, while in the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical

Weapons Convention the prohibition on the acquisition of such weapons of mass destruction applies to all

states without exception, in the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) theprohibition on the acquisition of nuclear weapons exempts the five nuclear-weapons States; and

WHEREAS, underscoring that the aforementioned 'exemption' was never meant to be permanent

as all States were obligated to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to ...

nuclear disarmament; and

WHEREAS, recalling that, in 2005, a Mayors for Peace statement based on a resolution of the

U.S. Conference of Mayors and signed by 575 mayors worldwide called upon State Parties to the NPT to

take a decision to commence negotiation on the elimination of nuclear weapons and weapon-usable fissile

material, and that this resolution was presented in the Great Hall of the General Assembly to the NPT

Review Conference President; and

WHEREAS, alarmed that not only did the 2005 NPT Review Conference fail to reach agreement

on any decisions whatsoever and but also that no negotiations have occurred in the years since to advance

the objective of nuclear disarmament; and

WHEREAS, mindful that the elimination of all nuclear weapons by the year 2020 has become

more difficult because of this lack of progress and other adverse developments, but convinced that with a

rededication to good faith efforts the objective is still achievable; and

WHEREAS, welcoming wholeheartedly the 62nd UN General Assembly decision to begin

preparations for a UN Decade for Disarmament, 2010-2020; and

WHEREAS, Mayors for Peace has advanced the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol through the CitiesAppeal as a means of achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world by the year 2020 within the framework of

the NPT; and

WHEREAS, as of June 19, 2009, local government representatives in 762 cities from 49

countries and regions have used the Cities Appeal to express their united support for the Hiroshima-

Nagasaki Protocol; and



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WHEREAS, the City of Takoma Park just celebrated the 26th anniversary of the adoption of its

own Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA

PARK, MARYLAND:

1. Calls upon all citizens to contribute to the preparations for the UN Decade for Disarmament;

2. Pledges to do our utmost to ensure that it will be a decisive decade for nuclear disarmament;

3. Calls upon the State Parties to the NPT to ensure that the current NPT review process lays the

foundation for actual nuclear disarmament during the UN Disarmament Decade and, to that end,

urges President Barak Obama to lead the government delegation to the 2010 Review Conference

and to include in the delegation at least one representative of this nations cities;

4. Recommends for the immediate consideration of all States, not least each of our own, the

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol as a direct means of fulfilling the promise of the NPT by the year

2020, thereby meeting the obligation found by the International Court of Justice to conclude

negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspect under strict and effective

international control;

5. Challenges all States to adopt the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol without delay and to undertake in

good faith to present to the 65th General Assembly in September 2010 the envisioned Nuclear

Weapons Convention or Framework Agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Mayor Williams is authorized to sign the Cities Appeal in support

of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol on behalf of the City of Takoma Park.

Adopted this 11th day of January, 2010.

Attest:

Jessie Carpenter, CMC

City Clerk



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Send this back to: [email protected] fax to +32-57-23 92 76 (Attn. Mayors for Peace)

Cities Appeal in support of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol

Mindful that according to the United Nations Population Fund, In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of

the worlds population will be living in towns and cities; and that United Cities and Local Governments is recognizedby UN agencies as the voice of cities worldwide;

Taking, in this regard, special note of the support expressed in the 2007 Jeju Declaration of the Second World

Congress of United Cities and Local Governments for the Mayors for Peace campaign, which lobbies theinternational community to renounce weapons of mass destruction;

Noting that while the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention prohibit the acquisition of

such weapons of mass destruction without exemption, the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

exempts five nuclear-weapons States from the prohibition on the acquisition of nuclear weapons;

Underscoring that the aforementioned exemption was never meant to be permanent as all States were obligated to

pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to ... nuclear disarmament;

Recalling that, in 2005, a Mayors for Peace statement based on a resolution of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and signedby 575 mayors worldwide called upon State Parties to the NPT to take a decision to commence negotiation on the

elimination of nuclear weapons and weapon-usable fissile material, and that this resolution was presented in the Great

Hall of the General Assembly to the NPT Review Conference President;

Alarmed that not only did the 2005 NPT Review Conference fail to reach agreement on any decisions whatsoever andbut also that no negotiations whatsoever have occurred in the years since to advance the objective of nuclear

disarmament;

Mindful that the elimination of all nuclear weapons by the year 2020 has become more difficult because of this lack of

progress and other adverse developments, but convinced that with a rededication to good faith efforts the objective is

still achievable;

Welcoming wholeheartedly the 62nd UN General Assembly decision to begin preparations for a UN Decade for

Disarmament, 2010-2020;

We the undersigned elected representatives of citizens of our cities:

Call upon all people to contribute to the preparations for the UN Decade for Disarmament;

Pledge to do our utmost to ensure that it will be a decisive decade for nuclear disarmament;

Call upon the State Parties to the NPT to ensure that the current NPT review process lays the foundation for actualnuclear disarmament during the UN Disarmament Decade and, to that end, urge each Head of Government to lead the

government delegation to the 2010 Review Conference and to include in the delegation at least one representative of the

nations cities;

Recommend for the immediate consideration of all States, not least each of our own, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol

(appended) as a direct means of fulfilling the promise of the NPT by the year 2020, thereby meeting the obligation found

by the International Court of Justice to conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspect under

strict and effective international control;

Challenge all States to adopt the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol without delay and to undertake in good faith to present to

the 65th General Assembly in September 2010 the envisioned Nuclear Weapons Convention or Framework Agreement.

Signature: Name: :

Position [Mayor, City Councilor, or other elected local authority representative]:

Name of the local authority: Country:

NOTE: Signing the Appeal does not make you a member of Mayors for Peace. If you wish to affiliate your city with Mayorsfor Peace please use the REGISTRATION FORM link at

http://www.2020visioncampaign.org/files/M4P_Registration_Form.pdf



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THE HIROSHIMA-NAGASAKI PROTOCOL

A protocol complementary to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for

achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world by the year 2020

Desiring to establish an over-arching means of addressing nuclear disarmament in all its aspects so as to

facilitate the fulfillment by States Parties of their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and with a view to all states fulfilling the nuclear disarmamentobligation found by the International Court of Justice in their 1996 advisory opinion on the legality of the

use or threat of nuclear weapons;

Considering that continued exploitation of the discriminatory nature of the Treaty, wherein nuclear-

weapon States Parties are exempted from the prohibition on the acquisition of nuclear weapons, is

incompatible with the pursuit in good faith of nuclear disarmament in all its aspects;

Considering further that full equality under international law must be re-established by the elimination of

all nuclear arsenals as agreed in the 1995 Extension Conference decision on Principles and Objectives;

Article I

1. The nuclear-weapon States Parties to this Protocol shall cease forthwith:

(a) all activities related to the acquisition of nuclear weapons which non-nuclear-weapon StatesParties are prohibited from pursuing under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of NuclearWeapons;

(b) all activities which incorporate nuclear weapons into their military doctrines and practices;and shall place all nuclear weapons and weapon-usable fissile materials in safe and secure storage at the

earliest possible date.

2. All other States Parties to this Protocol possessing weapons-usable fissile material shall take those

steps required of the nuclear-weapon States in paragraph 1 which apply to their circumstances.

Article II

1. The States Parties to this Protocol shall pursue in good faith negotiations on achieving nuclear

disarmament in all its aspects under the following two main sections:

Section One negotiations will standardize and legally codify the measures taken under Article I,paragraph 1, (a) and (b).

Section Two negotiations will address:

(c) the elimination of all nuclear weapons and related deployment systems, including deliveryvehicles, launch platforms, and command and control systems.

(d) the elimination of all infrastructure associated with the acquisition of nuclear-weapon systems,including production and testing facilities, and of all weapon-usable fissile material stocks.

2. The negotiations called for in paragraph 1 shall have as their objective a Nuclear Weapons Convention

or a comparable Framework Agreement. Negotiations shall begin forthwith and be pursued without

interruption by all States Parties until this objective is achieved. A Secretariat for the negotiations shall

be established that remains in operation until negotiations are concluded.

3. Every good faith effort shall be made to ensure that all measures related to Section One are agreed and

implemented before or by 2015 and that all measures related to Section Two are agreed and implementedbefore or by 2020.

4. All measures contained or foreseen in the Nuclear Weapons Convention or Framework Agreement

shall be subject to strict and effective international control and shall provide for international institutions

capable of ensuring that the nuclear-weapon free world which is achieved can be maintained indefinitely.

Article III

Nothing in this Protocol shall be interpreted as diminishing in anyway the nonproliferation obligations of

any State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; including each States

obligation to cooperate in the establishment and operation of the international institutions of Article II,

paragraph 4.


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NFTPC Annual Report 2008-2009 Final Version

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