Help us CHANGE THE WORLD

Support Point Hope: Alaska’s Youth Congress for the Global Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, organized by Veterans For Peace (Chapter 100).

Our mission is to empower youth to become advocates for nuclear disarmament. Point Hope Congress aims to engage youth from rural Alaskan communities and to create an enduring statewide movement that can bring Alaska-specific concerns and insights into the ongoing efforts of national and international organizations dedicated to the global elimination of nuclear weapons. 

To make this happen, we need your help…

Why now?

The nuclear arms race is back.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the military support for Ukraine provided by numerous nuclear-armed states, points out all too well the risks nuclear arms present. Before that, in mid-2021, China began drilling holes in its’ desert regions, apparently preparing for the siting of additional nuclear missiles. In 2019, the US military tested a missile which, until very recently, was banned under the US-Russia Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. According to the Pentagon, “data from the test will be used to inform future weapon development.” And the Union of Atomic Scientists “Doomsday Clock” is currently “closer to midnight” than it has ever been since 1947.

The destruction of the INF Treaty is not the only cause for concern. In 2019, the JCPOA collapsed. New START is set to expire in 2021. And there are rumors that the US may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) - the cornerstone of the international nuclear policy regime. Meanwhile, the US, Russia, and China are preparing to modernize and expand their nuclear arsenals. Six other nations that already possess nuclear weapons may follow suit. And still others may seek to acquire them. As they have in the past, citizens of the world must challenge the madness of a new nuclear arms race.

In the words of Darlene Keju (Marshallese peace activist and founder of Youth-to-Youth in Health), “The way to reach the elders is through the youth.”

2020 was a significant year for nuclear disarmament. It marked the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 75th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations, and the 50th anniversary of the NPT.

Why Alaska?

In 1958, the US Atomic Energy Commission proposed detonating up to six thermonuclear weapons in Alaska, 30 miles south of the native village of TIkigaq (Point Hope). Community members of Point Hope, and many other Alaskans, rose up in opposition to the proposed tests (code-named Project Chariot), and successfully defeated the project. It was the first successful opposition to the US nuclear establishment and launched America’s modern environmental movement. The story of Point Hope offers inspiration to the next generation of nuclear disarmament activists in Alaska and around the world.

A few other reasons.

·  Three underground nuclear weapons tests were conducted on Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands between 1965-1971 (including the United States largest underground test, Cannikin).

·  Alaska’s proximity to the nuclear-armed and nuclear-impacted states of Russia, China, Japan and North Korea.

·  During the Cold War, Alaska played a role as a bridge between US-Russia relations.

·   Alaska is at the epicenter of the climate-nuclear nexus.

Both the Point Hope City Council and the Native Village of Point Hope have endorsed the youth congress and have given permission for the use of the name Point Hope.

Partners and Co-sponsors

This project is sponsored by Veterans For Peace (Chapter 100), Juneau People for Peace and Justice, the Northern Light United Methodist Church.

We are funded in part by a grant from The Ploughshares Fund.

Other collaborators, allies, and supporters include: Nuclear Free Schools , the Critical Issues Forum, the PEAC Institute , the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Abolition 2000 Youth Network , and the CTBTO Youth Group.

Thank you for your time and support!