Seattle to host series of Nuclear Security Talks

February 14, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Seattle to host series of Nuclear Security Talks

Leading expert on nuclear weapons policy, Joseph Cirincione, to speak at UW, World Affairs Council and Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility events

ALL EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

  • Feb. 28: "The Failure of U.S. Nuclear Policy," 2:30 p.m. @ Thomson Hall, UW
  • March 1: "Policy and Politics of US Nuclear Weapons Today," Noon @ Seattle Foundation
  • March 2: "The New Moment: Our Chance to Change U.S. Nuclear Policy," 7 p.m. @ Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

SEATTLE, WA – With a growing momentum for anti-nuclear sentiments in the lead-up to the presidential elections, and with opportunities for Washington state to take the lead on action, advocacy and diplomacy, Seattle will be host to three in-depth discussions in three days exploring the topic of nuclear security. All events are open to the public.

Joseph Cirincione, one of America’s leading experts on nuclear weapons policy, will be the keynote speaker for all three events, hosted by the University of Washington, the World Affairs Council and the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, respectively. Mr. Cirincione is the president of Ploughshares Fund, the largest US philanthropic organization focused exclusively on nuclear security. In just this past month, Mr. Cirincione’s expertise has been called upon as a source by the New York Times, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and MSNBC, among many other major media outlets covering the increasingly urgent issue of nuclear security. "The world is in a precarious place when it comes to the possibility of nuclear disaster," wrote Mr. Cirincione, in his most recent editorial, published in the Tennessean, following several packed events in the Nashville area. "Trump foreign policy offers much bluster but few real gains."

Why Seattle?

The Puget Sound region is home to one-third of deployed US nuclear weapons. According to Mr. Cirincione, if Washington state were a sovereign nation, it would be the third largest nuclear weapons state in the world. Seattle is viewed as a logical target because of the city’s dense population, booming high-tech industry, nearby military bases and relative proximity to North Korea, the Seattle Times reported.

A New Moment

"Fortunately, Washington state is stepping up to the challenge," said Mr. Cirincione. "Not since Senator Scoop Jackson have we seen a Washington state politician with such a powerful role in shaping our nation’s nuclear policy. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash) is leading the way with his call for a reset of our nuclear policy and comprehensive hearings on this policy. Smith and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have introduced 'No First Use' legislation that would prohibit any president from ever using a nuclear weapon first. Their three principles, 'no new nuclear weapons, more international arms control, and no first use,' is a welcome antidote to Trump’s dangerous policies, as the New Yorker magazine stated."

While nearly every nuclear challenge is getting worse, Mr. Cirincione’s discussions will explore concrete chances to make positive changes to US nuclear policy, now. The public and media are welcome to join the discussion.

For a complete agenda, including event times, addresses and ticket information, visit www.ploughshares.org/events

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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