Peace groups encourage Leicester to endorse UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

On the evening of 19th March, Pax Christi Director, Theresa Alessandro, attended a meeting of Leicester City Council. Pax Christi is working with Leicester CND and Community of Christ friends on a project to encourage Leicester City Council to endorse the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty. This is an initiative of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons - ICAN.

Nuclear Weapons possessing countries, such as the UK, are so far failing to engage with the nuclear ban treaty but hundreds of cities around the world have now endorsed the ban treaty, including Paris, Geneva, Washington DC, and in the UK, Manchester, Oxford and more. Read more about the ICAN cities appeal here: https://cities.icanw.org/

Leicester CND member Anthony Matthews asked a question during the Council meeting and presented a petition. Elected Mayor Peter Soulsby responded positively and stated that he hopes to bring a successful resolution to endorse the ban treaty at the next Council meeting. Due to the Coronavirus, the meeting date is not known but in response to a supplementary question, the Mayor confirmed this will definitely be on the Agenda of the next meeting.

Pope Francis reminds us that even the very possession of nuclear weapons is to be condemned. In November last year, Pax Christi National President Archbishop Malcolm McMahon issued a statement saying 'Here is an opportunity for the leaders of nuclear weapons-possessing countries such as the United Kingdom to demonstrate creative, moral courage. We call on our government to sign the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and be part of a future built on just international relationships and the common good of all humanity.'