The delegation arrived at Seatac Airport on Wednesday, May 5th.
While waiting for a delegate's wheelchair (that the airline somehow damaged in transit) I filled them in on Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action.
Nobue KUGIMIYA, the group's official translator, getting to work.
Heading out for Seattle.
Nobue (right) and Ms. Tokie MIZUNO, Hibakusha of Hiroshima, at Pike Place Market.
Nobue and I worked out details for the evening's presentation at a local coffee house.
The group visited the Seattle Peace Park and the statue of Sadako. This being Seattle, someone had previously attached an umbrella to Sadako's hand. The rain stopped just in time for our arrival.
Mackie Jurgan made a lovely Ikebana arrangement for the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Seattle where Ms. Mizuno gave her testimony of her experience of the bombing of Hiroshima and made a plea to abolish nuclear weapons.
Folksinger and Storyteller, Tom Rawson, welcomed the delegates and other guests with a couple of well-chosen songs.
Ms. Mizuno begins her testimony speaking in Japanese, with Nobue translating.
The Hiroshima Nagasaki Poster Exhibition from the Hiroshima Peace Museum was on display.
Organizations working for the abolition of nuclear weapons attended the event.
Early morning May 6th, preparing to head out for Tacoma.
Father Bill "Bix" Bischel greeting Mr. KIMURA Isamu, General Secretary, Fukuoka Council against A & H Bombs (Fukuoka Gensuikyo) at the Tacoma City Hall. Bix organized the events in Tacoma.
Former Tacoma Mayor, Bill Baarsma, welcomed the delegates to Tacoma. Mayor Baarsma is a member of Mayors for Peace.
Current Tacoma Mayor, Marilyn Strickland, also welcomed the group, and announced that she would be joining Mayors for Peace! This was an extraordinary announcement!
In front of the Tacoma Municipal Building.
The group then travelled to University of Washington Tacoma where they were warmly welcomed by staff, faculty and students.
Each table had students, faculty and a translator.
Robert Satiacum, of the Puyallup Tribe, presented neclaces to each member of the delegation. The UW Tacoma is built on land that was originally Puyallup Tribal land.
Nobue with Lynne Greenwald, member of Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, who was sentenced the previous day in Federal court for her nonviolent resistance action last August at the Trident submarine base at Bangor, Washington.
Following a luncheon for the delegates the rest of the University and the public were invited for the formal presentation.
Multi-talented nuclear abolitionist!
University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor, Patricia Spakes, welcomed everyone, and spoke of the importance of our mutual work towards nuclear abolition.
KIMURA Isamu, General Secretary of the Fukuoka Council against A & H Bombs (Fukuoka Gensuikyo), addressed the gathering, making an eloquent plea for nuclear abolition.
Ms. MIZUNO gave her testimony to a standing room only crowd.
The English translation with photos from Hiroshima was projected on a huge screen behind her.
Following the formal presentation, there was a dedication of a Peace Pole on the UW Tacoma campus. Representatives of the Bainbridge Island Nipponzan Miyohoji Buddhist Temple began the ceremony.
Students from Bryant Elementary School participated in the dedication.
Representatives of the Puyallup Tribe also participated in the dedication with a special ceremony.
Members of various faith communities,including Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and Protestant, also offered prayers and blessings to consecrate the Peace Pole.
Sharon Parker, Assistant Chancellor for Equity and Diversity at UW Tacoma, who did an extraordinary job of pulling together a wonderful day and a wonderfully warm welcome for the delegation.
Former students of the historic Japanese Language School, who accompanied the delegation on a tour of the site of the former school.
Back on the bus, on the way to Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action (GZ).
Arriving at GZ.
Senji Kanaeda, Nipponzan Miyohoji Buddhist order, welcomes the delegates to GZ.
Standing near the fence bordering the Trident nuclear submarine base that is next door to GZ.
The Stupa at GZ.
The delegates enjoyed fellowship, a presentation about GZ's work resisting Trident, and a supper with their hosts.
Each of the delegates received a GZ t-shirt that reads, "RESIST TRIDENT: Abolish Nuclear Weapons".
On the morning of the delegation's departure for Japan, Cheryl and I joined them to say goodbye (for now).
Signing the Peace Flag, one of the gifts I will always treasure.
The delegates from Nagasaki.
Ms. MIZUNO showing the scarf she received as a gift from GZ.
And of course, more photos!
Final goodbyes.
We all agreed to continue building on the relationships begun on this trip, and to work together towards our mutual goal of total abolition of nuclear weapons. No More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis!
