A letter from Bruce Kent

Dear London CND supporter

It may not be usual to get a message from a London CND Vice President, however ancient, but this cause is a very good one which I absolutely support. We in CND have a great opportunity in front of us right now. It must not be missed.

The Afghanistan shambles has undermined much previous thinking about 'security '. Now is the time for us to get people to think again about nuclear weapons especially Trident, its massive cost, dangers, and threats to us all. Many things need to be done to stimulate and expand this new thinking.

But some initiatives cost money which is why I am asking urgently for your help. Below you can see how much London Region has already done – and then be as generous as you can.

Our year began with an online Annual Conference, with some stellar speakers, and included a breakout session aimed at students about military influences in UK universities. We launched our London’s Nuclear Ban Communities initiative at conference too and have followed up with monthly NBC meetings to discuss progress. We’ve also designed an NBC leaflet for national CND, to assist other groups collecting local support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

We’ve expanded the London Committee to get more of our local groups involved, and I’m pleased to say there’s been a steady take-up. Supported by London Region, CND groups in south east London got together to launch SE London Network for Peace, Justice, and Solidarity, and Richmond is looking to join forces with others in south west London. And I’m especially delighted to announce the birth of Lambeth CND which is already planning its second public event.

With the easing of Covid restrictions we’ve all begun in-person activities again. London Region has taken part in Kill the Bill protests, the Nurses Not Nukes contingent of the People’s Assembly demonstration and most recently in Parliament Square when MPs debated Afghanistan. I was really pleased we were able to hold our traditional Hiroshima Commemoration in Tavistock Square Gardens again this year and stream it live on Facebook for those who couldn’t attend in person. (I’m assured this latter attracted lots of people, though I’m glad to say I was at Tavistock Sq!)

We are now turning our attention to promoting local group activities – as you can see from London CND’s website and social media. Events are in the planning stage for London students as the new term gets underway; and I hope that my fellow London Vice President Catherine West MP will soon be able to hold another Students Parliamentary Reception, much delayed by Covid lockdowns.

As I said above, moving out of lockdown will cost money. We’ve already bought a shiny new banner to celebrate being out on the streets! And we’re starting to think about an in-person and internet streamed 2022 conference, despite big increases in hall-hire costs.

London CND is self-financing, relying on contributions from our generous and loyal supporters.

Please donate if you can, or better still make a regular financial commitment, by completing this form and returning it to London CND at:

London CND
162 Holloway Rd
London N7 8DQ

If you make a bank transfer, please reference it ‘Appeal’.

With warm wishes,

Bruce Kent

London CND Vice President

Letter to Christian leaders

Christian CND worker Russell has generously re-written our letter to religious leaders for a specifically Christian audience. Feel free to copy, edit and share this letter to promote the London Nuclear Ban Communities initiative in your locality!

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Dear [NAME ]

You may be aware that earlier this year the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into legal force. This means that nuclear weapons are now illegal under international law, just like chemical and biological weapons. More than 80 states have signed the Treaty and every continent is represented among those that have ratified. Last year 130 voted in support of it at the United Nations.l

Around the world Christians have been leading the efforts to bring the Treaty into law. The Holy See was one of the first states to sign and ratify the Treaty in 2017 and the church has been an active voice for disarmament around the world, including across the Pacific and throughout Africa. At home leaders in every major denomination have spoken out in favour of the ban and called on the UK government to engage with the process.

Despite this broad international support, the UK government not only opposes the Ban Treaty but is planning to increase our nuclear stockpile by more than 40%. As part of local efforts being made around the country, [I / We] write to seek your support for the London Nuclear Ban Communities initiative, which aims to lead the city of London to join the growing ranks of cities pledging their support for a global ban on nuclear weapons internationally. Those who have already done so include Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris, Geneva, Helsinki and Washington DC

Nuclear weapons are capable of murdering millions of innocent people by the press of a button. Were there ever to be a nuclear war our world would be changed beyond comprehension forever. People of all faiths across the world have hope for a better world where we can be rid of this threat.

You will find enclosed the London Nuclear Ban Communities Pledge, which you can also sign directly on our website: https://www.londoncnd.org/sign-the-pledge. You can either sign in a personal capacity or on behalf of your church.

[I /We] would be pleased to discuss this initiative and the Treaty further with you. Please get in touch at info@londoncnd.org. 

Yours in peace,

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Links

-        For Christian leaders, link Christian CND’s page on the Biblical case against nuclear weapons https://christiancnd.org.uk/the-biblical-case-against-nuclear-weapons/

-        For leaders of other faiths, link Religions for Peace (https://www.rfp.org/)

New leaflet! - Nuclear Ban Communities

London CND has produced a leaflet with Yorkshire CND, providing background and details about the Nuclear Ban Communities initiative. The leaflet has received the approval of CND for national use.

It is freely available to all CND groups. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like us to add your local group’s contact details at the end.

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Click on the buttons below to download the leaflet. We currently have two versions: one has the contact details of CND in the final contact box, and one is left blank for local groups to add their own contact details.

Download the leaflet…