In recognition of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, join the Peace & Justice Center, Women's International League for Peace, and Freedom Burlington Branch for a FREE, family-friendly night. Meet at the corner of Church St. and Pearl St. for a Hiroshima and Nagasaki Singalong, Walk, and Candle Boat Remembrance.

The atomic bombs that were dropped in Hiroshima (on August 6th) and Nagasaki (August 9th) in 1945 changed the way that we view the dangers of global conflict forever. Effects of the bombings have lasted for decades, and continue to affect the lives of survivors, their ancestors, and the environment. Despite the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, these events can now serve as a foundation for us to build upon in order to confront our history, and to examine how best to secure a peaceful future.

On Sunday, August 5 at 6pm, meet at the top of Church Street near the Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (152 Pearl St). We will sing peace songs and walk down Church St. to College St. and then to the Waterfront. We will stop to sing and sketch “nuclear chalk silhouettes” on the pavement. We will end at the lakefront beach near the boathouse where we will set candle boats in Lake Champlain (a Japanese tradition called toro nagashi) to commemorate the lives lost. This is a great event for families, as it is outdoors, engaging, and kids are encouraged to sing loudly. Bring an anti-nuclear weapons poster or a peace poster. Find us along the way by looking for our banners and signs and/or listening for singing voices.