**Debi Covet-Bowles and Deacon Denny Duffel were arrested for blocking the entrance to the Navy Nuclear site on the final day of the Seattle conference**

Supporting the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty & Rebuilding a Movement to Prevent Nuclear War
By Joanne Dufour, Lacey, WA, for the PPF Peace Church Working Group

When your passion for change is roused, it’s enhanced by being part of a community of equally passionate souls. That was my experience at two historic events: the Third Meeting for States Parties to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in New York City (March 3–8) and the April 11–13 conference in Seattle, “Rebuilding the Anti-Nuclear Weapons Movement Together.” Two Weeks of Hope! We are re-engaging to prevent nuclear war.

The Seattle conference drew over 275 participants in person and on Zoom, calling on the U.S. to begin negotiations with the other eight nuclear-armed nations for a verifiable, enforceable, time-bound agreement to eliminate their arsenals. The campaign, modeled on the Nuclear Freeze movement of the 1980s, was credited by historians with helping to pressure the Reagan administration and contributing to a decades-long decline in global nuclear arms. Designers of the Seattle conference hope this revived effort will be replicated in states across the country to truly rebuild the movement. Plans include building statewide coalitions, outreach to faith communities, divestment from nuclear profiteers, and calling the U.S. to end weapons-related activity in the Philippines. A direct action protest was also held at the Kitsap-Bangor Navy Base on Sunday, April 13.

Presbyterians and PPFers attending the Seattle conference included myself, Judy Lee, Co-Moderator Schaunel Steinnagel, Marilyn and Will White, George Taylor, Peter Kimmel, Geoff Browning, and Jan Orr-Harter.

At the UN event in March, over 1,000 members of civil society—representing more than 167 organizations—gathered to support the Treaty, which has been ratified by 74 countries, signed by 93, and supported through observation by 10 more—for a total of 86 involved nations. A large number of college students also participated, some even leading workshops. Presbyterian Peace Fellowship signed the Joint Interfaith Statement to Member States supporting the Treaty, and Presbyterian author Ward Wilson joined others in sessions focused on debunking the myth of nuclear deterrence.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister presided over the meeting, reflecting the country’s history of nuclear trauma. Upon gaining independence in 1989, Kazakhstan demanded the removal of nuclear weapons and ongoing care for survivors of over 470 Soviet nuclear tests. Side events featured voices from impacted communities, including the powerful artwork of mouth-painter Karipek Kuyukov, as well as testimonies from activists, scientists, humanitarian workers, and mayors advocating for the Treaty’s enforcement.

The UN meeting emphasized three areas of action: survivor support, environmental reparations, and full implementation of the Treaty. New York City hosted 70 events in support of the gathering, and momentum is building for the next meeting in November 2026.

A number of UN presenters also joined the Seattle gathering, including Nobel laureate Ira Helfand, Ivana Hughes of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Archbishops Wester and Etienne, Jay Coghlan of Nuclear Watch, and authors Ward Wilson and Timmon Wallis. Notable Catholic peacemakers Kathy Kelly and Elizabeth Murray, both respected voices in nuclear abolition, also participated in multiple Seattle events. Their presence helped connect global policy with grassroots action.

From New York to Seattle, it was a grand and galvanizing two weeks. As the threat of nuclear weapons rises again, the call to faithful resistance has never been clearer—or more urgent.

Top row (from left to right): PPFers, left to right, Judy Lee, Marilyn and Will White, PPFer Joanne Dufour with Nobel Prize recipient and keynote speaker Dr. Ira Helfand, Presbyterian George Taylor speaks at the Rebuilding the Anti-Nuclear Weapons Movement Conference in Seattle., PPFer Schaunel Steinnagel joins a roundtable discussion at the Seattle Conference

Bottom Row (from left to right): PPFer Will White (right) participates in the Direct Action and The Seattle Peace Choir inspires the conference