Roland Joseph’s Remarks at the 80th Hiroshima–Nagasaki Commemoration in Boston
BOUKAN NEWS, 08/11/2025 – Roland Joseph’s Remarks at the 80th Hiroshima–Nagasaki Commemoration in Boston, Organized by a coalition of peace, justice, and environmental organizations and the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament, and Common Security (CPDCS), Massachusetts Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and Back from the Brink.
Hello everyone,
I would like to begin with a simple question: Is a world without nuclear weapons possible? Can we really imagine a world where no one builds these weapons to destroy us?
My answer is simple: Yes, it is possible. But only if we — ordinary citizens, civil society, peace activists — continue to raise our voices and take action against the existence of these destructive weapons.
Between 1986 and 2025, the number of nuclear weapons dropped from about 70,000 to around 12,240. This didn’t happen by chance. It happened because of strong global pressure — because people around the world stood up, organized, and demanded change.
Many important treaties were signed to reduce or stop the spread of nuclear weapons. These agreements happened largely because of the hard work of peace and anti-nuclear movements, not just governments.
After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — which killed between 110,000 and 210,000 people, most of them civilians — people everywhere began to say: “Never again.” No more nuclear weapons.
But today, the danger is still very real — maybe more than ever. In January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds before midnight — the closest it has ever been. This means we are closer than ever to a nuclear disaster.
Why? Because many of the nine nuclear-armed states are now in conflict. Russia is at war with Ukraine. The United States and Russia are also in tension. Israel and Iran are in conflict. There’s tension between China and Taiwan. India and Pakistan have long-standing issues. One mistake — one accident — could lead to a nuclear war.
And such a war would affect all of us, not only the countries involved. Even regions like Latin America and the Caribbean, which are protected by a nuclear-weapon-free zone treaty, would suffer terrible consequences.
I’m from Haiti, and I believe the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean must speak out. We must protect our future.
So now is the time to act. We must continue the movement to eliminate nuclear weapons — before they eliminate us.
The only way to succeed is through solidarity between people and nations, rich or poor. As Daisaku Ikeda said, “If nuclear weapons epitomize the forces that would divide and destroy the world, they can only be overcome by the solidarity of ordinary citizens, which transforms hope into the energy to create a new era.”
No more killing with nuclear weapons! No more nuclear weapons! No More Hiroshima! No more Nagasaki!
Thank you.
Dr Roland Joseph
