Urge President Biden: “At the G7 Summit, resolve to eliminate nuclear weapons” May 16, 2023

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On May 17, President Biden will depart the United States, headed for the annual G7 Summit, hosted this year by Japan. The G7 consists of heads of state  from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA, who will meet to discuss and address major global issues. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chose Hiroshima for the G7 venue, saying the meeting presents a unique opportunity “to deepen discussions so that we can release a strong message toward realizing a world free of nuclear weapons” and to “demonstrate a firm commitment to absolutely reject the threat or use of nuclear weapons.” To underline that, he plans to take the world leaders to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on the first day of the summit.

These world leaders should seize this golden opportunity to get on the path to a nuclear weapons-free world. Please call the White House and urge President Biden to use this occasion to announce a plan for global nuclear disarmament.

Take a few minutes to call the White House comment line today: 202-456-1111. The message is simple: “At the Hiroshima G7 Summit, I want you to announce a plan for eliminating all nuclear weapons.”

When you call, you will be adding your voice to many who have already sent similar messages to President Biden.

On April 19, 24 representatives of American NGOs — including PSR — sent a letter to Biden about the G7 summit.

An excerpt:

“At a time of growing nuclear danger, we hope you will during your visit to Hiroshima elaborate on how the United States is willing and ready to work with other states, including those with nuclear weapons and those that have forsworn them, to ensure that no country or city suffers the horrors of nuclear war ever again.

On April 27, the delegates of the Hiroshima G7 Youth Summit, sponsored by International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, presented their joint statement with requests to the G7 leaders for the upcoming summit.

An excerpt:

“We are resolved to unite across borders, languages, and local cultures to create a global culture of peace and total nuclear abolition. We believe that we must forge a world not just free from the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons, but one that is constructive and intentional for lasting peace. We are determined to ensure that the sacrifices and stories of the hibakusha will never be forgotten. We urge the G7 leaders to heed our words and take concrete action for a sustainable and mutually prosperous world.”

On May 4, Senators Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Don Beyer and John Garamendi, who lead the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, sent a letter to Biden about the G7 summit.

Excerpts:

“We write to you today to urge you to use the upcoming May summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders in Hiroshima to propose specific steps your administration is prepared to take to advance a new global nuclear disarmament dialogue.”

“At this time of growing nuclear dangers, we hope that during your visit to Hiroshima, you directly address how the United States is willing and ready to work with other states, including those with nuclear weapons and those that have forsworn them, to ensure that no country or city suffers the horrors of nuclear war ever again.”

Please call the White House comment line today at 202-456-1111 and urge the President: “At the Hiroshima G7 Summit, I want you to announce a plan for eliminating all nuclear weapons.”