Nuclear Disarmament Initiative – Massachusetts Peace Action

Jan. 22, 2021 Actions in Massachusetts to welcome the Nuclear Ban Treaty. Clockwise from upper left: Northampton; State House; General Dynamics in Pittsfield; Park St Station, Boston; Raytheon BBN in Cambridge; Northampton; Fresh Pond Mall, Cambridge; young activists at State House

The Massachusetts Peace & Justice Network is proposing a package of three bills to protect Massachusetts residents from the existential threat of nuclear weapons. The Back from the Bring Resolution supports those that have signed the treaty and calls on the federal government to pull us back from the brink of nuclear war. However, we can also take steps here in Massachusetts to prevent nuclear warfare by divesting state pension funds. And by setting up a citizens commission, we may examine how to reduce and eventually eliminate the threat of nuclear war. We must take bold steps towards tackling the existential threat that nuclear weapons pose to the state of Massachusetts and to the world. Every hour that we delay only increases the risk that we face at the hands of world leaders who seem locked in an endless stick-shaking contest. Together, these three initiatives will protect the citizens of Massachusetts while providing the groundwork for a future free of nuclear weapons. The three bills in the package are as follows:

1. Back from the Brink Resolution (S.1556)

RESOLUTIONS RELATIVE TO THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT POSED BY NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

This act would officially congratulate the 51 countries which have signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as well as commend the state and local authorities which have supported the treaty and Back from the Brink platform.

Assigned to Committee: Public Safety & Homeland Security

Back from the Brink Resolution Fact Sheet

Read the Bill Text

Presenter: Joanne M. Comerford

Cosponsors in the State House

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
Rep. Carol Doherty
Rep. Kay Khan

Cosponsors in the State Senate

Sen. Jo Comerford
Sen. Patrick O’Connor

2. Nuclear Weapons Divestment (S.1703 & H.2597)

AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE DIVESTMENT OF STATE PENSION FUNDS FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS

This act would divest Massachusetts state pension funds from companies involved in the manufacture or maintenance of nuclear weapons.

Assigned to Committee: Public Service. The Hearing took place on June 9, 2021.

Nuclear Weapons Divestment Fact Sheet

Read the Bill Text

Presenters: Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge

Cosponsors in the State House

Rep. Mike Connolly
Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Rep. Patrick Kearney
Rep. David LeBoeuf
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis
Rep. Carol Doherty
Rep. Michelle DuBois

Cosponsors in the State Senate

Sen. James Eldridge
Sen. Jo Comerford
Sen. Patrick O’Connor

3. Nuclear Weapons Commission (S.1555 & H.3688)

RESOLVE PROVIDING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND STUDY BY A SPECIAL COMMISSION RELATIVE TO THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT POSED BY NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

This act would establish a citizen’s commission to research and recommend to the state legislature ways to better protect the citizens of Massachusetts from the existential threat of nuclear weapons.