Nuclear "Lip-Zip" at Political Conventions Outrages Citizens Across the CountryGrassroots Groups Converge on DC Sept. 20-22 to Focus Congress, NRC and Media on Nuclear Dangers in Largest Demos since the 1980s
The Coalition Against Nukes (CAN) announced its schedule for a Rally for a Nuclear-
Free Future September 20-22 in Washington, DC. The Coalition intends to draw the
attention of legislators, the media and the public to the critical dangers of nuclear power,
nuclear waste, weapons production and uranium mining. It calls for immediate shutdown
of this country's 23 Fukushima-style nuclear reactors and phase out of nuclear energy
because it puts local communities at risk from deteriorating reactors, earthquakes, operator
error and terrorist attack.
"At a time when Fukushima's radiation release, our own aging fleet of decaying nuclear
reactors and the ever-present possibility of nuclear war threaten the health, safety, lives
and genetic futures of every living being on earth, it's outrageous that those vying for this
country's leadership have said not one word about any aspect of the nuclear issue," said
Priscilla Star, Co-Founder of CAN.
Organized by CAN and endorsed by over 70 anti-nuclear, environmental and citizen’s
organizations, including the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and Occupy Wall Street,
Rally for a Nuclear-Free Future will include a powerful Congressional briefing by experts
on nuclear energy sponsored by Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s office. Other actions
will include a meeting between concerned citizens and the new NRC Chair, Allison
Macfarlane, at NRC headquarters while an "Occupy the NRC" rally will take place outside
the NRC headquarters; a sacred Native American ceremony in front of the Museum of the
American Indian for the desecration of Native lands by radiation contamination; a
music/speaker fundraiser at Busboys and Poets; and a film mini-festival at the Letelier
Theatre in Georgetown.
Despite the best PR efforts by the for-profit nuclear industry, nuclear energy is not "green"
energy. The entire fuel cycle from the mining and milling of uranium to nuclear energy
production, radioactive waste and use of weaponry contaminates all life forms, forever.
Ongoing exposure to radioactive contaminants causes chronic and terminal conditions,
such as cancer, thyroid and heart diseases, miscarriage, birth defects and genetic damage.
Illness, genetic mutation and death in the aftermath of Fukushima, Chernobyl and Three
CAN Rally for a Nuclear Free Future 2
Mile Island have shown that no one can guarantee the safety of nuclear reactors and no
one is immune to its threat.
The Congressional Briefing on Thursday, September 20, is sponsored by Rep. Dennis
Kucinich (D-OH). It will cover toxic nuclear waste and storage issues; the ongoing
Fukushima disaster and its threat to U.S. health and safety; radiation impact on the human
body; the dangers of our decrepit nuclear fleet; and the risks we face of a catastrophic
reactor meltdown.
The list of Congressional Briefing speakers and their bios is available
here:
Speakers over the three days will include: Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill
Stein; Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds.com; Friends of the Earth President Emeritus Brent
Blackwelder; Paul Gunter of Beyond Nuclear; Dr. Margaret Flowers, a Congressional
Fellow for the Physicians for a National Health Program; Greenpeace’s Nuclear Policy
Analyst Jim Riccio; Harvey Wasserman of NukeFree.org; Kevin Zeese of ItsOurEconomy.us, Fukushima natives; evacuees from Japan; and many others.
A full schedule of the CAN events, including locations and times, can be found at:
http://coalitionagainstnukes.org/event-calendar/
A complete list of speakers for all events, along with their bios can be found at:
http://coalitionagainstnukes.org/speakers/
ABOUT COALITION AGAINST NUKES:
Coalition Against Nukes (CAN) is a proactive grassroots citizens group focused on
nuclear issues that actively networks with elected officials; creates and circulates petitions;
organizes peaceful marches, rallies and public events; and disseminates information on
why the nuclear power industry (beginning with uranium mining) must be stopped.
C.A.N. was founded by longtime activist Priscilla Star soon after the catastrophic nuclear
accident at Fukushima, Japan, which began on March 11, 2011 and continues to this day.
Contact:
CANRallyMedia@gmail.com / www.CoalitionAgainstNukes.org
