65th Anniversary Prayer Vigil at Los Alamos
Friday, July 30th, I joined Pax Christi members and other nuclear disarmament advocates in commemorating the 65th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Los Alamos, birthplace of the atomic and nuclear bombs. The rallying themes expressed the hope of people worldwide: "65 
Years Is Enough! Retire the Bomb! We Want a Nuclear Free World!"
All those taking part in the 65th commemoration shared deep concern and opposition over the current direction of the Obama administration which is moving ah ead with the de velopment of new nuclear weapons components at three key weapons facilities, while at the same time conducting a sweeping review of U.S. nuclear weapons policies. The new replacement facility in Kansas City will manufacture electrical and mechanical non-nuclear parts, with an estimated price tag of $673 million for construction and $1.2 billion over the next 20 years. The facility at Oak Ridge plans to reinvest in its capability to produce uranium components for nuclear weapons. Closer home to New Mexico, the new Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement Project building at Los Alamos Laboratory plans to increase U.S. capability to produce plutonium pits, the core of a nuclear weapon, from 20 pits to 125 pits annually. The U.S. Senate has yet to approve of this increase.
With shared concern and resolute commitment to work for peace, events began Friday evening with Bishop Gabino Zavala, President of Pax Christi, USA, at El Museo Cultural in Santa Fe. Pax Christi members from eastern and western states welcomed Bishop Zavala's words focusing on signs of hope and challenge in our ongoing work for worldwide nuclear disarmament. There is a gathering storm of hope, he said, heralding change, bringing powerful winds and life-sustaining waters. His message identified signs of hope for nuclear disarmament in the political and ecclesial spheres.
Saturday morning, 9:00 - 12:00, we gathered at Santa Maria de la Paz Church in Santa Fe, where Keith Beirbaum led us through three hours of nonviolence training in preparation for our sackcloth and ashes disarmament vigil in Los Alamos that afternoon. At 2:00 pm
a large crowd gathered at Ashley Pond in the center of Los Alamos for the opening blessing of the sackcloth and ashes each would receive. Donning our "fair trade" coffee burlap bags, with a bag of ashes in hand, we began to process single file down Trinity Drive (named for the first atomic bomb tested at White Sands) until we had a line extending to the bridge leading to Los Alamos Laboratory.
This year our ranks were swelled by about 50 youth from Think Outside the Bomb, the nation's largest youth-led network working for nuclear abolition. Hundreds of young people traveled from around the country to Los Alamos in small groups, stopping in towns along the way, holding events to raise awareness and enlist support in the movement to create a nuclear weapons free world. It was truly an awesome sign of hope to witness these dedicated young people so committed to creating a world free of weapons of mass annihilation. They are the future!
Toge
ther we sat along the sidewalk, in our circle of ashes, and joined in silent prayer and meditation for thirty minutes to repent of the death-dealing evils of war and nuclear weapons, imploring the God of Peace for the gift of total nuclear disarmament. Monsoon clouds hovered overhead and a gentle rain began to fall during our vigil, as a blessing on our prayers embracing the planet.
A closing ceremony back at Ashley Pond featured speakers, including Ellie who told us of her experiences on the flotilla bringing food and aid to the Palestinians, and how they were attacked by Israeli military. Music and singing added to the joyful atmosphere. The entire day, meeting and talking with deeply committed people working for peace, was infused with hope, new sources of life-giving energy, and a tangible sense of renewed commitment to continue the struggle for global nuclear disarmament.
Rose Marie Cecchini, MM
August 2010