Saint John Ploughshares prepares for U.N. Disarmament Week

Judith Meinert — October 1984

SAINT JOHN – The theme of this year’s UN Disarmament Week activities, “Peacemaking in an Interdependent World,” will be especially apt in Saint John, because several groups have joined with local Project Ploughshares groups to present a full week of activities for the public.

International Red Cross, 10 days for World Development, Saint John District Labour Council, Physicians for Social Responsibility and (possibly) CUSO have joined forces with the Saint John, Hampton and Sussex Ploughshares groups. The intention is to-demonstrate that the arms race is not only the concern of peace groups, and that military spending drains resources, research, money and human potential, and leads to the exploitation of people who have no means to fight this exploitation.

The week of activities will feature displays, slide shows, films, flip charts, books and a children’s corner, where kids will be able to make their own posters, etc. The groups will also be selling buttons, decals, bumper stickers, balloons and peace T-shirts.

Last year’s activities attracted school groups and a constant flow of people, as well as media coverage. The organizers are hoping that the response will be equally favourable this year.

To kick off Disarmament Week, the District Labour Council’of Saint John is sponsoring a rally on October 20, which will start at King Square, in the centre of town, and proceed down King Street to Loyalist Plaza at Market Square. Speakers will include Dick Martin, Executive VicePresident of the Canadian Labour Congress and President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. Organizers are hoping to double last year’s turnout of 350 people.

The centre of activity for Disarmament Week will be in the City Hall Walkway Shops of Brunswick Square. Everybody is welcome.

The Peace Calendar

Canadian Disarmament Information Service, 1983-1984

Saint John Ploughshares prepares for U.N. Disarmament Week