online – Reducing Congressional Spending for Nuclear Weapons

Saturday Jan 25, 2025 Virtual Conference 2:00 – 5:30 pm (EST)

The threat of nuclear war is increasing, rather than abating.

• Biden’s recent actions in the Russia/Ukraine conflict has sharply increased the danger.
• The tragic Israel/Gaza conflict continues to expand.
• Cold Warriors in high places are beating the drums of war toward Russia and China.
• Enormous public expenditures are being made on upgrading all three legs of the nuclear weapons triad

Responding to these costs and dangers, we will meet virtually  on Saturday afternoon January 25, 2025 to call for Reducing Congressional Spending for Nuclear Weapons and discuss how to organize to meet the challenge.   Register to attend.

Program:  (names in italics are invited)

2:00 Welcome: Bob Redwine (MIT) – Continuing influence of the Military-Industrial Complex

2:05 Opening Panel – International Flashpoints Chair- Joseph Gerson (Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security);

–       US and Russia – Hon. George Beebe (Quincy Institute);

–       US and China – Prof. Lyle Goldstein (Watson Institute/ Brown University);

–      Nuclear Tensions over Israel. Gaza, and Iran –  TBA.

2:50 pm Panel 2- Costs & Dangers of the US Nuclear Weapons Buildup – Chair, Nancy Goldner (Cut Sentinel Campaign).

– Exorbitant Sentinel costs –Richard Krushnic  (Mass Peace Action);

– Dangers of the New ICBMs – David Borris (Chicago Area Peace Action);

– What do we expect from Trump’s Nuclear Stances –Daryl Kimball (Arms Control Assn.).

3:30 Break

3:40 Panel 3 – Economic Campaigns – Chair, Susan Mirsky (Nuclear Disarmament Working Group);

–       Moral Budget – Shailly Gupta Barnes (Poor People’s Campaign (PPC);

–       Warheads to Windmills – Anduin Devos (Nuclear Ban.US);

–       Cut the Nuclear Weapons Budget – Stephen Miles (Win without War);

–       Divestment – Susi Snyder (ICANW);

–       Fund People over Pentagon – Prof. Jonathan King (MA Peace Action Education Fund).

4:20 Panel 4: No New Nukes- Campaigns Focused on Limiting Weapons: Chair, Gary Goldstein (MA Peace Action Education Fund);

–       Back from the Brink- Harry Katz (Physicians for Social Responsibility);

–       Restricting Sole Authority and First Use – Prof. Elaine Scarry (Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security);

–       Physicists Campaign for Nuclear Threat Reduction – Prof. Stewart Prager (Princeton University);

–       Promoting the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) – Melissa Parke ( ICANW).

 –       5:00 Congressional Initiatives: Chair Cole Harrison

–       Senate action: Sen. Ed Markey ;

–       Cancelling the Sentinel – Rep. John Garamendi;

–       Citizen’s Call to Action – Medea Benjamin (CodePINK).

Program Committee: David Borris (Chicago Area Peace Action); Ann Fritsch (Rotary International); Nancy Goldner (Sentinel Project); Prof. Gary Goldstein (Mass Peace Action Education Fund); Cole Harrison (Mass Peace Action Education Fund); Susan Mirsky (MAPA Nuclear Disarmament Working Group); Jonathan King-Chair (Nuclear Disarmament Coordinating Committee and MIT); Prof. Bob Redwine (Nuclear Weapons Education Project and MIT).

Nuclear costs calculator – https://www.psr-la.org/nuclear-costs