Hiroshima and Nagasaka bombings: 65th anniversary to be marked by prayers at Capitol

The Capitol steps have been busy places lately, playing host to everything from announcements about breathable plutonium at Rocky Flats and a new Bill Ritter and Lance Armstrong-touted pro bike race to the celebration of yesterday's Prop 8 ruling. But at 3 p.m. on Sunday, a group will mark two...

By Michael Roberts

August 5, 2010

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The Capitol steps have been busy places lately, playing host to everything from announcements about breathable plutonium at Rocky Flats and a new Bill Ritter and Lance Armstrong-touted pro bike race to the celebration of yesterday's Prop 8 ruling. But at 3 p.m. on Sunday, a group will mark two somber events -- the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings.

The remembrance is sponsored by the local affiliate of Pax Christi, the national Catholic peace movement, but George McShea, who'll be emceeing the gathering, emphasizes that "the prayer service will be interfaith, ecumenical. Everybody's welcome."

Also speaking with be Michio Taniwaki, a Hiroshima survivor who'll bring home the message that the atomic attacks on August 6 and August 9, 1945, are anything but ancient history -- and McShea notes that there's a local hook, too.

"Within the State of Colorado, there are 49 nuclear weapons on trigger alert, meaning they're ready go to at quick notice," he says, adding, "Our future, or lack of a future, depends on nuclear weapons."

Below, find a flier with details about the event:

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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