CFPA's 45th Annual Commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

Join Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) for an outdoor program beginning at 7:00 pm. 

Monday, August 5, 2024 
7:00-8:30 PM 

Hinds Plaza 
65 Witherspoon Street 
(adjacent to the Princeton Public Library) 

Keynote Speaker 
Shiho Burke 

We are honored to have the deep perspective of Shiho Burke, whose family's first-hand experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima -- including her mother's survival -- both informs and drives her peace activism.

In her own words ...

"Growing up in Hiroshima amidst my parents' firsthand experiences of the atomic bombing profoundly influenced my dedication to advocating for world peace. At the age of 10, I starred in the movie White Town Hiroshima (Shiroi machi hiroshima), directed by the renowned Tengo Yamada -- known for Barefoot Gen -- and produced by Kaneto Shindô, whose film Postcard was Japan's official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Academy Awards.

By the time I was 16, as a member of the Crane Club at Hiroshima Jogakuin High School and a Peace Ambassador, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe with a Hiroshima TV crew to film a documentary. During this journey, I visited the family of the architect of the Atomic Dome, Jan Letzel, who was Czechoslovakian. I also visited Berlin, including Hitler's last residence, and one of the concentration camps, Theresienstadt.

In recent years, while raising three children, managing several businesses, and working as a translator, I have continued to actively participate in peace events as a speaker whenever possible. Currently, I am dedicated to completing my mother's memoir, with upcoming plans to focus on this project further this fall when my son departs for Princeton University."

With songs of peace performed by

The Solidarity Singers of The New Jersey State Industrial Union Council

Origami crane-folding activity for all-ages!

The origami crane folding activity will include instruction for children. This activity is included as origami cranes are the Japanese symbol for globally banning nuclear weapons. Candle lighting and a moment of silence will conclude the Program.

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Weather Permitting, beginning at 6:00 PM attendees are invited to bring their own picnic meal to enjoy on Hinds Plaza (no alcohol please) - tables and chairs are already set up in the Plaza. If inclement weather is forecasted, the decision to move the event indoors to Nassau Presbyterian Church will be made the morning of August 5th. Please check back here or on our social media platforms for updates.

RSVP for this FREE event today!

While the event is FREE and open to the public, for best planning we do ask that those planning to attend the 7:00 PM Program RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and the number expected in your party.

For those in the vicinity of Camden, NJ, for whom Princeton might be too far, there will be an excellent opportunity to attend Sacred Heart Peace Community's Commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings on Sunday morning, August 4th. If you can, consider attending both of these important observances!