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80 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki: A clear message for disarmament and against nuclear weapons
On July 8, 2025, the Groß-Gerau district made a powerful statement: By raising the flag of the international initiative "Mayors for Peace," the district administration participated in a worldwide day of action for peace and nuclear disarmament. The occasion was the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
600 municipalities also pledged their support for a world without nuclear weapons on this day. District Administrator Thomas Will raised the flag at the district office in Groß-Gerau and emphasized the urgency of the matter.
"Nuclear weapons are a risk to humanity."
"These terrible weapons of mass destruction, which have caused immeasurable suffering, must never be used again," said the district administrator. "Nuclear weapons do not create more security, but are a risk to humanity and the entire globe. We demand disarmament, not rearmament."
In addition to commemorating the victims, the event also addresses the current global political situation: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates the number of nuclear warheads worldwide at approximately 12,241 . All nine nuclear powers are modernizing their arsenals – China, in particular, is rapidly expanding its capabilities. Furthermore, the New START treaty between the US and Russia is set to expire in 2026, raising fears of a new nuclear arms race.
Background: What is Flag Day?
Flag Day commemorates an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on July 8, 1996. This opinion established that both the threat and the use of nuclear weapons violate international law. Furthermore, it formulated an obligation under international law to negotiate in good faith on nuclear disarmament .
About Mayors for Peace
Mayors for Peace was founded in 1982 by the mayor of Hiroshima. This international network advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons and promotes peaceful coexistence. Currently, more than 8,480 cities in 166 countries to the initiative, including approximately 900 cities in Germany .
More information:
👉 www.mayorsforpeace.de
(DISTRICT OF GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSKGG)
