2022 marked the 77th anniversary of the dropping of two nuclear bombs by the United States on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War Two, and people throughout the world gather on August 6th to remember this fateful event. Members of Bridgwater Peace Group gathered  at the Bridgwater Peace Memorial, Kings Square at 12 noon on 6th August, and members of the public were invited to join them there. Songs of peace were sung and thoughts and contributions from the participants shared.

A statement from the Peace Group read “The bombs killed between 129,000 and 226,00 and destroyed both cities. People continued to die for years after the bombings and by 1950 an estimated 340,000 people had died from after-effects. Even today, the effects continue and more dead and deformed babies are born in the area than in any other place. Professor J.K. Galbraith, official US investigator to Japan in 1945 said: “ The bombs fell after the decision to surrender had been taken by the Japanese government”.

The statement continued “Nuclear weapons should never have been developed and they must never be used again. We oppose ownership and use of all nuclear weapons. We call for the establishment of an international body seeking peace and co-operation between all nations. We support cease-fire and peace negotiations, instead of conflict escalation”

For more information about the Bridgwater Peace Group email bridgwaterpeacegroup@gmail.com