Report by Ms. Loréna Schlicht, Mayors for Peace France (AFCDRP)
In resonance with various local peace initiatives and commemorative events in France on August 6th, Loréna Schlicht, the coordinator of Mayors for Peace France, played an active role in representing the organization at a national meeting of NGOs and associations known as “Les Résistantes 2023” and the commemoration of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, which was organized as part of this event.
In “Les Résistantes 2023,” over the course of four days from August 3 to 6, more than 7,500 individuals engaged in 175 training sessions, workshops, and conferences. These gatherings provided a platform for citizens and various organizations to collaborate on a range of actions aimed at increasing awareness about the humanitarian catastrophes caused by nuclear weapons. The participation in this meeting aimed to encourage French local authorities and elected officials to align with Mayors for Peace.
In an effort to commemorate the Hiroshima atomic bombing, a solemn peace ceremony was organized during the event. Following speeches advocating for collaborative endeavors towards nuclear disarmament and the endorsement of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) by the French government, participants embarked on a symbolic walk across the grounds, accompanied by musical interludes and readings of hibakusha poetry. The ceremony culminated in a moment of silence, paying tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing.
Photos: courtesy of AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France