HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation - Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day 2026 — CITY OF
ASHLAND
A PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI DAY
Whereas, 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the first and only use of nuclear weapons in
war, by the United States on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Whereas, we commend the people and governments of the United States and Japan for
choosing post-war reconciliation and friendship, and we honor the sacrifices of all who
suffered.
Whereas, Ashland's public commitment to end the threat of nuclear catastrophe dates back
to 1982, when its citizens passed a ballot measure declaring the city a Nuclear Free Zone.
Peace House grew out of that effort in 1983. This year marks the 41st consecutive year the City
of Ashland has collaborated with community organizations to commemorate the bombings.
Whereas, Ashland became a Mayors for Peace city in 1998, responding to a global invitation
from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons. As
of July 1st, there are 8,584 Mayors for Peace cities in 166 nations, including 246 in the United
States and 8 in Oregon.
Whereas, in addition to promoting a culture of peace and safe and resilient cities, Mayors for
Peace supports the new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted in July 2017. It
entered into force January 2021 and is legally binding on the 75 governments that have
ratified it thus for. Another 25 have signed and await ratification.
Whereas, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Joint Memorial 5 in 2019, calling on the
President and Congress to lead global efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear war.
Whereas, Ashland is home to two living Hiroshima Peace "ambassadors" grown from seeds
of trees that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The Peace Ginkgo grows near
Thalden Pavilion on the SOU campus, and the Peace Camellia grows near the entrance of
Lithia Park's Japanese Garden.
Whereas, this past June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution urging the
President and Congress to "engage in good faith negotiations with the other eight nuclear
armed states to halt any further buildup of nuclear arsenals and to verifiably reduce and
eliminate nuclear arsenals according to negotiated timetables" and to carefully weigh the
immense costs of proposed nuclear modernization against the urgent domestic needs of
American cities.
Whereas, from August 3rd through the 9th, concerned citizens, civic organizations, and faith
communities in Ashland and the Rogue Valley will commemorate the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, remember all victims of nuclear weapons development and
testing, and renew commitments to prevent such weapons from ever being used again.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Tonya Graham, on behalf of the City of Ashland, do hereby proclaim
August 6, 2026, as "Hiroshima Day" and August 9, 2026, as "Nagasaki Day" and invite all
residents to participate in the Hiroshima - Nagasaki Vigil activities.
In Ashland we are Better Together.
Dated this 4th day of August 2026.
J
Tonya Gr' ham, Mayor Alissa Kolodzinski, City Recorder
A