Experts meet in Seattle to take action aimed at stopping new nuclear arms race

November 30, 2018

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Inquiries: Delfin Vigil | Director of Communications & Marketing | dvigil@ploughshares.org; (415) 259-1247.

Experts meet in Seattle to take action aimed at stopping new nuclear arms race

Former Obama Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes among speakers at University of Washington conference open to the public

FREE
5 - 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 03
University of Washington
Kane Hall, Room 210
Seattle, WA

SEATTLE, WA – Global security foundation Ploughshares Fund, together with the University of Washington’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, and Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility is presenting a joint conference focused on the urgency of US and local nuclear weapons issues. Experts will discuss the future of nuclear policy and highlight how the state of Washington is taking the lead on action, advocacy, and diplomacy.

The panel of nuclear policy experts includes:

  • Ben Rhodes, Author and former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama
  • Rep. Adam Smith, representing Washington's 9th Congressional District, pre-recorded video message for the conference
  • Lilly Adams, Washington Against Nuclear Weapons Coalition
  • Bruce Amundson, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
  • Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund
  • David Anitok, Marshallese Community Organizer and Advocate
  • Amy Hagopian, Associate Professor, UW, Department of Global Health and Director, Community Oriented Public Health Practice

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be moderated by Hagopian, with special remarks by Reşat Kasaba, Professor and Director of UW, Jackson School.

“Washington state Representative Adam Smith, the incoming Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, will be the most nuclear-savvy chair of that committee in history,” said Joe Cirincione, Ploughshares Fund President and a former HASC staffer. “He has already laid out an ambitious agenda for reforming our nation’s nuclear policy in ways that will make it more rational and more affordable.

But he is going to be hammered by defense contractors and nuclear hawks. He will need the full support of the community to advance his sensible priorities.”

“The Puget Sound region is home to one-third of deployed US nuclear weapons,” said Bonnie Fisk, Senior Development Officer at Ploughshares Fund and co-organizer of the conference. “Washington state’s leadership will be essential in stopping a new nuclear arms race and reigning in the nearly $2 trillion remake of the US nuclear arsenal,” she added. “This is a crucial time to get momentum going for what is sure to be a protracted battle-- one that could form the nuclear policy for the next administration.”

For a complete agenda and schedule visit our Eventbrite page.

For media inquiries, including interview opportunities: Director of Communications & Marketing Delfin Vigil: dvigil@ploughshares.org; (415) 259-1247.

Ploughshares Fund is a global security foundation based in San Francisco, with an office in Washington, DC. Founded in 1981, Ploughshares Fund supports initiatives to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. It is the largest US philanthropic organization focused exclusively on nuclear security. Visit ploughshares.org

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