January 22, 2023 marked the second anniversary of the entry-into-force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The Treaty — signed by 92 and ratified by 68 states parties to date — includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon activities. Throughout the week of January 16-23, peace groups across the globe took action to thank the 68 brave nations who have already joined the Treaty, and to urge the United States to do the same.

It’s been quite a year for Peace Action New York State and for peacemakers in our network. From advocating for peace in Yemen and Ukraine, to holding our leaders accountable for our nation’s excessive military spending, to educating the public about the ongoing dangers of nuclear weapons, to building partnerships with the climate and economic justice movements, our growing network is organizing a strong and impactful peace movement across New York State!

Wednesday, December 7th marked a momentous day in New York City. Activists from Peace Action New York State, Move the Money NYC, and more rallied on the steps of City Hall to celebrate the introduction of a “Move the Money” Resolution (Res. 423-2022) by Council Member Carlina Rivera. The resolution would put the City on official record as opposing the bloated Pentagon budget that Congress passes each year, robbing cities and their residents of the funds needed for vital public resources such as schools, housing, food aid, modern subways, and sanitation. The resolution calls on Congress and the President to move significant funds away from the military budget in order to fund social services, and to hold in-depth public hearings on the basic human needs of City residents that are unmet because of government appropriations for the Pentagon.

Peace Action Fund of New York State (PAFNYS) was pleased to present the 2022 William Sloane Coffin Jr. Peacemaker Award to Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editorial Director and Publisher of The Nation at an in-person program hosted at Scandinavia House in New York City. We were also pleased to present the Don Shaffer Student Peacemaker Award to Peace Action Le Moyne, and to listen to guest speaker John Nichols, National Affairs Correspondent for The Nation.

Eleven peace activists appeared in NYC Municipal Court on Monday, August 22, 2022. They had been arrested on August 2nd during a civil disobedience action in front of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, while diplomats from around the world gathered at the UN for the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. The activists represented several peace groups committed to ending the threat of nuclear weapons.

From August 2nd to August 9th, 2022, PANYS chapters and allies gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki in 1945. These horrific events were the only time in history that nuclear weapons have been used in war, and have served as a constant reminder for the past 77 years of what is truly at stake in the struggle for nuclear abolition. Peace Action New York State stands in solidarity with the Hibakusha, with nuclear downwinders, and with all communities directly affected by the horrors of nuclear weapons, and we will continue striving for a world where every person can live free from the threat of nuclear destruction. You can view photos and recordings from 2022 commemoration events below.