Coming through Hastings at Easter:

The Flame of Hope March

This year Hastings will be involved in a peace march with a difference. A specially designed ‘Flame of Hope’ will cross the south east, carried from town to town by a changing band of marchers and cyclists. The Olympic style torch will symbolize hopes of a world without nuclear weapons, hopes buoyed by president Obama’s stated ambition for this.

The Flame will be carried towards Hastings from Lydd on Easter Sunday, and the following day members of Hastings Against War and others will take it to Bexhill. The pace will then pick up a gear, with cyclists winging the Flame to Eastbourne.

The initiative is timed to coincide with a large conference about nuclear weapons in New York, and was instigated by Abolition 2000, a group that campaigns against nuclear weapons. In addition to the south east Flame there will be a number of other ones, including one from Hiroshima, scene of the infamous blast at the start of the nuclear age. All the Flames will be destined for New York.

An estimated $90 billion is spent annually around the world on nuclear weapons. Many feel this is a massive misuse of resources, particularly in a time of global economic crisis.

Anyone with an interest in peace and a sturdy pair of walking shoes (or wheels) is welcome to get involved. Contact Fernando on: 01424 437820.

John Enefer

Also in: Campaigns