Table of Contents
- Introduction
- News, and Other Relevant Links
- Related Organizations and Resources
- Featured Resolutions
Madison, Wisconsin is one of the few cities to pass a Back from the Brink resolution that actively divests from companies involved with nuclear production.
On Oct. 3, 2023 the City of Madison Common Council adopted, under a unanimous vote, the “Limitations on Nuclear Weapons Producers” resolution. The resolution establishes legislation that prohibits city purchasing and investing in companies associated with nuclear production, limits investment in US Treasury Bonds, and calls upon the State of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison College, Dane County, and the Madison Metropolitan School District to also divest from these companies. Furthermore, the city may not make purchases greater than $50,000 with nuclear weapon producing companies or their subsidiaries, however, waivers can be issued if there are no suitable alternatives. Resources to assess these companies include Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) Wisconsin’s comprehensive list of nuclear weapon producers, and Don’t Bank on the Bomb, a regularly published report on the private companies involved with nuclear production. This resolution inscribed Madison, Wisconsin as one of the few cities to pass a Back from the Brink resolution that actively divests from companies involved with nuclear production.
Madison’s citizens and government have a legacy of demonstrating a strong commitment to peace-promoting discourse and action. The first Wisconsin chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility was created in Madison in 1981. Since 1983, Madison has been a Nuclear Free Zone under Ordinance 8169. The Wisconsin Network of Peace and Justice (WNPJ) is an active coalition connecting people and organizations devoted to confronting violence and injustices. Safe Skies Clean Water, a member of WNPJ, is working with organizations such as PSR Wisconsin to remove the squadron of F-35 fighter jets at Madison’s Truax Field, placed there in 2023. Their opposition focuses on the financial, environmental, and social harms, among others, of these jets. Truax Field, a civil-military airport, has a history with missiles, as during the 60s and 70s nuclear missiles were stored there.
Madison has also played a pivotal role in promoting nuclear disarmament. Local grassroot organizations have been promoting the objectives of the disarmament movement from the first meeting of the TPNW in 2017. Local city officials passed a proclamation in 2019 that declared Aug. 6 as Hiroshima Day and Aug. 9 as Nagasaki Day, and called for the US to fulfill the obligations made under the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty. These actions showcase Madison’s dedication to peace and social justice.
News, and Other Relevant Links
Editorial | Madison can lead in averting nuclear Armageddon
Cap Times editorial (2023)
The Cold War in Madison: Nuclear missiles assembled and stored at Truax Field
Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin (2021)
Robert Dodge, M.D.: Madison can help abolish nuclear weapons
The Cap Times (2018)
Related Organizations and Resources
Featured Resolutions
Public Meeting Summaries
RESOLUTIONS
RES-23-00623, Limitations on Nuclear Weapons Producers
October 3, 2023
City of Madison Common Council Meeting Discussing RES-23-00623
RES-23-00623, or the “Limitations on Nuclear Weapons Producers” resolution, limits city spending and investing in nuclear-producing companies, as well as commits to the measures outlined by Back from the Brink to call upon the United States and elected officials to take action. The resolution was initially heard by the City Of Madison’s financial committee on September 26, 2023 where it was recommended to the council to adopt. On Oct. 3, 2023, the Common Council heard the resolution. It was excluded from the consent agenda because speakers had registered for public comment. At that time, Jerry Folk (55:39) of the District 12 Interfaith Peace Working Group echoed MLK’s sentiments, saying that “we as human beings must either eliminate war or war will eliminate us,” (56:13) commenting that this resolution is an opportunity to express compassion. Speaking on behalf of PSR Wisconsin and 16 other community and faith groups, Paula Rogge (59:08) painted a picture of the devastation of post-atomic bomb Hiroshima and emphasized the greater destructive power of modern nuclear weapons. Rogge referenced the initial signing of the TPNW in 2017, where the importance of grassroots organizations to encourage the United States to join was stressed, stating that “these campaigns can work” (1:01:19). Similarly, Marienne Mcdonald (01:02:37), of the Dominican Sisters and Interfaith Peace Working Group, stated that “local actions can make a global difference. Local effects global,” (1:03:38) while pleading for us to live peacefully in the world.
After public comment, the council voted unanimously in support of the resolution with no questions, discussion, or objections.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Madison’s mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway. The Mayor’s Office Blog posted in support of divesting from nuclear weapons on September 19, 2023, citing the growing threat and power of the weapons, and stating that “nuclear weapons are inherently unjust.”
Ordinance 8169
December 2, 1983
The 1983 Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance prohibits the production of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, or associated components in Madison, along with the storage of waste from the production of nuclear weapons. The ordinance expresses the misalignment of nuclear production with the values of Madison’s citizens, along with the safety, health, and environmental threats that nuclear weapons pose to the citizens of Madison. It cites the general feelings of citizens to move away from the brink of nuclear war. The ordinance was sponsored by Mayor Sensenbrenner, Alds. Gotthelf, Feitlinger, Binkley, Kratsch, Wrzeski, Monks, Uekert, Lufler, Dye, Bowser.