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Tennesseeans to mark fourth anniversary of nuclear weapons treaty ban

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Monday, January 13, 2025   

A Knoxville group of concerned citizens is marking the fourth anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons going into effect.

It makes all facets of nuclear weapons illegal under international law, from development and testing to stockpiling weapons.

Tanvi Kardile, coordinator with the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, said they'll gather at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on January 22 - with banners proclaiming nuclear weapons are illegal, and flags of treaty-signing countries.

"So, there are 73 countries that have ratified this treaty," said Kardile. "The U.S. is not one of the countries. No nuclear weapons states have signed the treaty. So, other countries that possess nuclear weapons have not signed the treaty as well."

Kardile added that this event coincides with her group's goal to stop construction at the Uranium Processing Facility, part of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

Proponents of the weapons plant point to the jobs and economic impact it has for the local area.

Kardile said the United States is unlikely to sign the treaty, regardless of the administration.

While both parties back nuclear weapons production, she said the Trump administration prioritized it more.

She also highlighted the rising nuclear weapons budget and stagnant cleanup funding under both parties.

"It is pretty important for people in Tennessee to know about the TPNW, because nuclear weapons directly affects people here," said Kardile. "We have a plant that, to this day, still makes nuclear weapons. They still process enriched uranium."

Kardile said nuclear weapons projects in Tennessee impose an increasing financial strain on taxpayers and have resulted in humanitarian consequences.

Kardile pointed out they are collaborating with legislators to find the most suitable solution and are actively advocating for the treaty's ratification in Congress.


Disclosure: Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance contributes to our fund for reporting on Environment, Nuclear Waste, Peace, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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