Quakers mark the Nuclear Ban Treaty

The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is entering into force on 22 January 2021.

Quakers with meeting houses in various parts of the UK are organising to put up big banners on their outside with the message “Quakers Welcome the Nuclear Ban Treaty" Sunday to Sunday in the week of the 22 January. This is an excellent opportunity to spread the message of nuclear disarmament in communities across the UK. It may also be possible to get media coverage for this.

Scottish Quaker and member of the coordinating team of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Janet Fenton is helping to support Friends in preparations for this action. The support she is able to provide includes answering questions, providing a design in a print-ready format, or making suggestions about getting it printed and hung. Please phone or email Janet about any of this at janet@wordsandactions.scot / 077 965 594 573. It is important to do this before Christmas if possible to ensure having a banner in time. Janet Fenton has noted that hopefully most meetings could raise the funds to pay for the banner, but that not having funds should not prevent participation.

Some Quakers may also prepare their own banners and posters or print an existing CND design (PDF) at home and display it in their front windows to share the news about the treaty. There is also this design created by a local Friend (PDF).

A flag action is also being organised across Europe to mark the treaty's entry into force. ICAN Germany has designed a flag (see the image on this page) to hang out of windows, from balconies or to be hoisted on flagpoles.

The flags can be used for actions in the future as well, not just on the 22 January. To order the flags contact the representative of ICAN Germany at xanthe@ippnw.de.

Please take a picture of your banner, flag and/or poster displays and email the photos in to photos@quaker.org.uk.