Thinking global but acting local this past month, grannies Lois Durso, Jean Haskell, Reenie Boehm, and Paula Paul met with the legislative representatives of Congressman Dwight Evans to explore ways to further support the No First Strike bill in Congress. They discussed ways to more widely educate people about the No First Strike bill and the dangers of our current nuclear policy.
The group discussed ways to work together in the future to foster awareness of nuclear weapons issues/funding. Pushing for advocacy such as making phone calls and letter writing, we brainstormed ways individual citizens can take action now to prevent catastrophe. As it turned out, Rep Evans' district representative has a strong background in international relations and shares our concern about nuclear weapons and possible nuclear confrontations.
In this same vein, GPBP members initiated a bill with Councilmember Helen Gym in support of a resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to urge Congress to pass bills in the House and Senate, namely the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017. This resolution, which was passed by city council, prohibits the President of the United States from launching a “nuclear first strike” without a declaration of war by Congress. The Resolution was introduced to Council by Councilmember Helen Gym and Councilmember Derek Greek. It was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Cherelle Parker, Blondell Reynolds-Brown, and William Greenlee.
These efforts speak to the now famous quote by Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". While we may not be able to exert influence on world leaders, we can take action in our own backyard to effect change with likeminded people. While famous leaders grab headlines and "make history" let us not forget the millions of people that no one will ever know about that made their influence possible. We are the thoughtful, committed citizens that will change the world with others of like mind and spirit.
The group discussed ways to work together in the future to foster awareness of nuclear weapons issues/funding. Pushing for advocacy such as making phone calls and letter writing, we brainstormed ways individual citizens can take action now to prevent catastrophe. As it turned out, Rep Evans' district representative has a strong background in international relations and shares our concern about nuclear weapons and possible nuclear confrontations.
In this same vein, GPBP members initiated a bill with Councilmember Helen Gym in support of a resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to urge Congress to pass bills in the House and Senate, namely the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017. This resolution, which was passed by city council, prohibits the President of the United States from launching a “nuclear first strike” without a declaration of war by Congress. The Resolution was introduced to Council by Councilmember Helen Gym and Councilmember Derek Greek. It was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Cherelle Parker, Blondell Reynolds-Brown, and William Greenlee.
These efforts speak to the now famous quote by Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". While we may not be able to exert influence on world leaders, we can take action in our own backyard to effect change with likeminded people. While famous leaders grab headlines and "make history" let us not forget the millions of people that no one will ever know about that made their influence possible. We are the thoughtful, committed citizens that will change the world with others of like mind and spirit.