On Friday, January 20, 2023, a coalition of antinuclear groups will celebrate the second anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW or the Ban Treaty). The Treaty that entered into force two years ago established a categorical ban on nuclear weapons under international law.

In New York City, during the week of January 16, volunteer members of Peace Action NYS, Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World, and many other organizations will celebrate the anniversary by delivering roses and thank-you certificates to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of those state parties that ratified the Treaty after January 20, 2022. (The members will be complying with the CDC’s and New York State’s COVID guidelines.)

On Friday, January 20, there will also be a rally in front of the New York Public Library at noon followed by a march to the U.S. Mission at 799 United Nations Plaza to deliver the message that the United States must join the Treaty.

“It’s important to promote the Ban Treaty and to persuade the U.S. to sign it at this particular time, because the world is now embroiled, since the invasion of Ukraine, in the worst nuclear emergency since the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962,” said Jack Baldwin of The Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World. “Two nuclear-armed superpowers are locked in a deadly confrontation in which nuclear weapons have not been taken off the table. The whole concept of nuclear weapons as a deterrent has been disproved by this new European war.”

Said June Tano, Morningside Monthly Meeting of Religious Society of Friends: “In the process of acquiring and maintaining nuclear weapons, the nuclear-armed states have long tormented their own people and the people of the non-nuclear countries. The earth has also been heavily contaminated with nuclear material. Possession of nuclear weapons must be recognized as both a human rights violation and an environmental issue. I truly respect those countries that had the courage to ratify the TPNW.”

“Roses to Missions is an inspirational event,” said Sylvia Rodriguez Case, Co-Chair of Peace Action Fund of NYS. “It’s a great joy to celebrate the courage and bravery of the nine countries that have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons this past year by visiting their missions to the U.N. to thank them in person. To date, 68 state parties have signed and ratified the TPNW. This keeps hope alive for a world free from nuclear weapons.”

The “Roses to Missions 3” action has been endorsed by the following organizations:

  • A.J. Muste Memorial Institute
  • BanKillerDrones.org
  • Brooklyn For Peace
  • Catholic Worker
  • Church Women United in New York State
  • Coalition for Peace Action
  • Facilitation for Integrated Community Rural Development
  • Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
  • Granny Peace Brigade, NYC
  • Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of NY
  • International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
  • Manhattan Project for Nuclear-Free World
  • Massachusetts Peace Action
  • Morningside Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
  • North Country Peace Group
  • Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
  • NYC Metro Raging Grannies
  • NYC War Resisters League
  • NYCAN – NY Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
  • Pax Christi Metro New York
  • Pax Christi New York State
  • Peace Action Bay Ridge
  • Peace Action Maine
  • Peace Action New York State
  • Peace Action of Staten Island
  • Peace Boat US
  • Peoples Climate Movement – NY
  • Reverse The Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet
  • Rise and Resist
  • Rising Together Guerilla Theater
  • songs4peace
  • South Country Peace Group, Inc.
  • Sri-Lanka Doctors for Peace and Development
  • Stand With Okinawa NY
  • The Ribbon International
  • United National Antiwar Coalition
  • Upper Hudson Peace Action
  • Veterans For Peace – NYC Chapter 34
  • Veterans For Peace – Santa Fe Chapter
  • Veterans For Peace Golden Rule Project
  • WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
  • Western New York Peace Center
  • Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
  • World Can’t Wait
  • Youth Arts New York/Hibakusha Stories