RIVER VIGIL WILL COMMEMORATE BOMB VICTIMS

Jul 31 2007 Paisley Daily Express

Horror of attacks on Japan remembered

ANTI-NUCLEAR weapons campaigners plan to hold a vigil to commemorate thousands of people who were killed during the bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War.

It was the first and only time in history when nuclear bombs were dropped during a military conflict.

Now members of the Paisley Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Paisley Trades Council will mark the 62nd anniversary of the occasion by floating illuminated lanterns on the River White Cart in Paisley town centre.

And they are appealing for hundreds of Buddies to take time out and join them for the act of commemoration which will take place at the Hammills waterfall on Monday, August 6, at 9pm.

Anyone interested in taking part in the event would be made welcome by the organisers who are hoping for a huge turnout on the night.

Military chiefs at the time claimed dropping the nuclear bombs on Japan was the only way to end a war which had already claimed millions of lives – and which came to a finish within hours of the warheads being dropped.

They also said the bomb drops saved the lives of thousands of British and Allied military personnel, including prisoners of war being held in notorious camps by the Japanese military authorities.

Members of Paisley CND took part in a demonstration at the Faslane Naval Base on the River Clyde where British ships carrying nuclear weapons are based.

They joined members of other anti-nuclear weapons groups as part of a year-long protest at the base.