Cities have long been regarded as the primary targets of nuclear attack. As bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, and the continuous testing of bombs around the world have revealed to the world, it is civilians — in cities and everywhere else — who experience the most devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. In many cities across the U.S. and around the world, it is these legacies and direct experiences with nuclear weapons – their development, testing, and use – that uniquely position them to conceive of diverse and intersectional approaches to achieving nuclear disarmament. This makes city diplomacy a crucial locus in which pathways to a nuclear-free world are being explored and implemented.
Illinois
Chicago • Evanston
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, known as the birthplace of the Atomic Age, has a historic past involving nuclear weapons.
Evanston
Evanston has a long-standing history of being involved in denuclearization efforts.
Oregon
Portland • Salem • Milwaukie
Portland
Portland, Oregon has been a strong advocate against nuclear weapons, and has a rich history of anti-nuclear activism.
SALEM
Salem, Oregon’s active engagement in the nuclear disarmament movement reflects the concerns of its leaders and citizens about global nuclear threats.
WASHINGTON
Walla Walla • Spokane • Port Townsend • Olympia
Walla Walla
Walla Walla, Washington is uniquely positioned near nuclear infrastructure and development sites, placing it at the center of nuclear concerns.
Spokane
Spokane’s nuclear activism is rooted in the experiences of both local Indigenous and immigrant communities.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend’s anti-nuclear activism has been shaped by its proximity to military sites housing nuclear weapons.
Olympia
The port city of Olympia, with its historical ties to the nuclear industry, advocates for a nuclear-free future.
Minnesota
Saint Paul • Minneapolis • Duluth
Saint Paul
Saint Paul has a history of city diplomacy that demonstrates its commitment to promoting a culture of international peace.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis’ citizens and government have been committed to promoting peace through activism and city diplomacy.
Duluth
For decades, Duluth, Minnesota has been committed to peacebuilding and cultivating strong international relationships.
Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i –– in particular the “Big Island” and O‘ahu –– has a decades-long history of local action against nuclear weapons in the Pacific.
Arkansas
Springdale
Springdale
Springdale, Arkansas is at the center of flourishing Marshallese cultural engagement that serves to acknowledge the islands’ nuclear legacy.
NEW YORK
New York City
NEW YORK
New York City is home to key sites that have served as venues for discussions, negotiations, and demonstrations, in addition to key advocacy groups.
WISCONSIN
Madison
MADISON
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.
California
Oakland
Oakland
Oakland’s legacy reflects persistent opposition to nuclear threats, even in the face of federal resistance.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston • Cambridge
Boston
Boston is the birthplace of numerous anti-nuclear movements that have catapulted to nationwide advocacy.
Cambridge
Cambridge’s unique landscape, with both a substantial population of anti-nuclear activists and a center for nuclear development, has positioned the city as a leader in the anti-nuclear movement.
