A free virtual national conference from Massachusetts Peace Action.
Our nation and world are in a period of continuing danger and difficulty: The recently passed Pentagon budget is higher than ever and is funding a new generation of nuclear weapons; The tragic Israel/Gaza Conflict continues; The Russia/Ukraine conflict remains a source of increased danger of nuclear war; The attacks on Venezuela opens a new front of “forever wars”. The egregious costs of the weapons buildups is draining our tax dollars from critical civilian needs, among which are K-12 public schools and higher education. This Conference continues the tradition of trying to increase cooperation and collaboration among those advocating for nuclear disarmament and social and economic justice.
3:00 pm Welcome: Prof. Robert Redwine (MIT);
3:05 pm Continuing Threats:
- The Military/Industrial/Nuclear Weapons Complex- William Hartung (Quincy Institute);
- Fallacies of the Golden Dome Project – Prof. Ted Postol (MIT);
- Dangers from the New Sentinel ICBM – David Borris (Chicago Area Peace Action).
3:45 pm Unacceptable Costs:
Chair: Jonathan King (MIT & Mass Peace Action):
- Civilian vs Military Components of the Federal Budget – Debbie Weinstein (Coalition for Human Needs);
- Resisting Attacks on Higher Education – Mia McIver (AAUP);
- Protecting K-12 Public Schools – Randi Weingarten (American Federation of Teachers);
4:25 pm Congressional Efforts to Cut Nuclear Weapons Spending:
Chair: Maryellen Kurkulos (Mass Peace Action Education Fund):
- Back from the Brink Campaign – Daniel Hall (Back from the Brink)
- U.S. House Initiatives – TBA
- U.S. Senate Legislation – TBA
4:55 Protecting our Future:
Chair: Susan Mirsky (Nuclear Disarmament Working Group):
- Moral Bankruptcy of Nuclear Weapons – Rev. Liz Theoharris (Kairos Center, NYC);
- Cutting Weapons Budgets – Ben Cohen (Up in Arms Campaign);
- The 2026 Midterm Elections- Larry Cohen (Our Revolution);
- Mobilizing for Jobs and Peace – Hon. Nina Turner (We Are Somebody).
5:30 Adjourn
Sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund.
Program Committee: David Borris, Ed Erikson, Keith Harvey, Jonathan King, Susan Mirsky, Robert Redwine
