11 April 2012
Wellington City Nuclear Free Concert Co-Hosted by Soka Gakkai Buddhists
Wellington will commemorate 30 years as a nuclear free city with a free concert this weekend with performances by Anika
Moa, Don McGlashan, Warren Maxwell, Bella Kulolo and the Sam Manzanza and the Afro Beat Band. The concert is hosted by
the Soka Gakkai International and the Wellington City Council.
Wellington based members of the Buddhist movement Soka Gakkai International say they are delighted with the invitation
from the Wellington City Council to co-host this weekend’s concert to commemorate 30 years since Wellington declared
itself nuclear free.
SGI New Zealand General Director Jimi Wallace says the movement worldwide has advocated nuclear disarmament for the past
fifty years.
‘Working for a peace is at the core of our activities. We are especially focused on nuclear weapons. They should be
abolished. In 1958, the then SGI President, Josei Toda denounced nuclear weapons as an absolute evil.’
‘We feel it is important that ordinary people take the lead in generating a groundswell of support for nuclear
abolition, which is really what the Wellington nuclear free declaration symbolises. We’re proud to support the
anniversary of this bold and visionary declaration that our city council has maintained for 30 years and look forward to
a world free of nuclear weapons. I know it’s going to be difficult to achieve, but it is the only sound, rational and
humanistic option.
SGI New Zealand is part of a world-wide Buddhist non-governmental organisation which promotes peace, culture and
education based on humanism. It is based in Tokyo, Japan with a membership in 192 countries.
What: Concert to Celebrate 30th anniversary of Wellington’s Nuclear Weapon Free declaration. Free entry.
When: 10.30am-1pm, 14 April 2012
Where: Civic Square, Wellington
Further information on SGI and SGINZ can be found on www.sgi.org and www.sginz.org.nz.
ENDS