Sheffield peace group to mark milestone nuclear weapons treaty online

Sheffield Creative Action for Peace (SCRAP) was set to decorate the city with 51 commemorative flags, each with the name of a country which has ratified the treaty to mark the date that the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force as international law on January 22.

But due to lockdown restrictions members of the group are instead set to mark the momentous occasion online over the coming weeks carrying information about the countries which support the ban and their reasons for doing so along with photos of the handmade pennants.

The group is also encouraging residents and MPs to sign a petition persuading the UK to sign the treaty.

Member Val Johnson said: "There are no plans for England to celebrate January 22 2021, the day which would mark an English commitment to a safer and more peaceful world.”

The group is determined to mark the day in its own way by posting information and hosting events on its Facebook page.

Val Johnson added: “At Sheffield Creative Action for Peace (SCRAP) we are doing our best to mount an effective and creative action to mark this special day.

"We planned to have a street presence in the city centre. The Lord Mayor, Tony Downing, had agreed to attend. We have made 51 pennants, each with the name of a country which has ratified the treaty. 80 more countries have also signed the treaty though not yet ratified it.

"These pennants would have been prominently displayed around the city centre to celebrate all the countries who have taken this momentous step. This cannot happen now because of lockdown so we are going online. “Over the next few months our Facebook page: Sheffield Creative Action for Peace will carry information about the countries which support the ban and their reasons for doing so along with photos of our pennants.

"Although the UK government has so far refused to engage with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons our MPs can take the lead by signing a pledge to work towards the UK signing this vital treaty and bringing it into full effect. It is time to act in global solidarity and make nuclear weapons illegal and banned in every country of the world.”

Sheffield has long shown solidarity with people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Peace Gardens were opened and dedicated to peace by three atomic bomb survivors in 1985.

Val added: “It is important that we keep remembering this event to remind ourselves of the devastating consequences of any nuclear attack. Not only were thousands killed and the cities destroyed, but nuclear contamination continues to poison the environment and adversely affect people’s health there today.

If you would like to join in with the campaign to persuade the UK to sign the treaty contact SCRAP via the Facebook page or email

[email protected] to find out more information.