Who: Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment)
What: NIF Truth Telling Exhibit with 7 ft. x 4 ft. NIF poster and "evidence table" with government and other documents on NIF’s weapons applications, plutonium use, technical problems and other key facts not being told at the official NIF ceremony.
When: 9 AM – 2 PM, Friday, May 29, 2009
Where: Lawrence Livermore National Lab, corner of Vasco Rd. & Patterson Pass Rd.
Why: The National Ignition Facility mega-laser is $4 billion over its original budget, construction is 9 years behind schedule, its "firm" date for thermonuclear ignition is once again fading into a more distant horizon, its actual mission to advance nuclear weapons design is being downplayed, and the controversial decision to use weapons-grade plutonium in NIF is being ignored — as are the myriad still-unresolved technical problems that make NIF "ignition" dubious at best. Moreover, according its fiscal year 2010 budget request, the claim of NIF "completion" may be in the eye of the beholder.

Tri-Valley CAREs recently received documents that the group had long been seeking under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding Livermore Lab’s biological agent programs.

The records we received show that Livermore Lab violated federal regulations by conducting “restricted experiments” without the proper approval. These illegal experiments were discovered during an inspection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in August 2005. However, the information was not made public until now.

“The Department of Energy and Livermore Lab withheld these documents until Tri-Valley CAREs filed federal litigation under FOIA to obtain them,” explained Marylia Kelley, the group’s Executive Director. “This is a stunning example of the government covering up unclassified information because it is embarrassing. As a result, the public is denied knowledge to which it is entitled, and community health and safety are degraded.”

Well, folks, here we go! on the Proposition One In 2010 Road Show! http://prop1.org

This summer, we will tour the country to visit every state in the continental U.S. that has the initiative process. We want to meet with you to describe how we managed our Initiative 37 campaign in Washington DC, and to encourage you to let your politicians know that you want Solar Panels and Windmills, Not Missiles and Nukes!

WHY should you care? You mean aside from the environmental devastation already inflicted on humanity by nuclear weapons production, maintenance, and use, and the likelihood that this will increase if we don’t bring it to a halt? And shouldn’t we support President Obama’s April 2009 call for the elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide with a strong show of votes?

Many NGOs are participating in the May 4-15 Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the UN. The NPT is a cornerstone treaty underlying global non-proliferation efforts.

A number of organizations that work on nuclear weapons issues attended the PrepCom. Reaching Critical Will is following the events at the PrepCom, including posting government statements online. Physicians for Social Responsibility posted regular updates about the PrepCom here. Want to share your experiences at the PrepCom? Post a comment or link to your report back in the comments sections.

At this year’s PrepCom, US Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller, the lead negotiator for an agreement to replace the expiring START treaty on nuclear weapons reductions with Russia, presented a message from President Obama at the UN:

Congress established the 12 member bipartisan Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States in 2008 to “examine and make recommendations with respect to the long-term strategic posture of the United States.” The Strategic Posture Commission issued its report on US nuclear weapons policy on May 6, and Chairman William Perry and Vice Chairman James Schlesinger testified before the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee.

Below are excerpts from analysis and press releases issued by many organizations in response to the Commission's report. Want to chime in? In the comments section you can share your thoughts or post a link to how your organization reacted.

From Physicians for Social Responsibility: