Speak Up 4 Peace
To engage with and empower individuals and communities to share their experiences of exposure to nuclear weapons and/ or testing.
'It was 8:15am. All of a sudden, the eastern sky became dazzling white and a big bang with an air shock smashed the glass windows. Shattered glass fell into the room. Akiko instantly tried to cover her children to protect us from falling glass. We had no idea what was happening. All we could do was to pray to God and wait for time to pass.'
Takaaki (James) Morikawa
Interview & Oral History Collection
We provide free access to interview transcripts and oral histories regarding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Operation Grapple in 1957/1958, and New Zealand veterans in Mururoa in 1973.
Currently, we have 16 oral histories openly accessible, with more to be published soon.
Michimasa Hirata
HIROSHIMA- 1945
“At the moment of the flash my father pushed me into a nearby underground shelter. As soon as I was in the shelter the shock wave hit us. My father was injured by the debris caused by the shock wave.” In sharing his story, Hirata’s closing remarks were, “I sincerely ask your help to influence and motivate your family, friends, and hopefully your government to abolish all nuclear weapons and save this beautiful planet for our children, grandchildren and further generations.”
Peter Hamilton and Family
OPERATION GRAPPLE VETERAN
"They wanted to find out what happens to sailors on board a ship when an atomic bomb goes off. We were guinea pigs. So what happens is, they die. Some of them died when they were twenty, most of them died when they were fifty, and they are still dying- with all the cancers. I’ve got skin cancer and now I’ve got something in my blood…”
Brian and Patricia Harnor
OPERATION GRAPPLE VETERAN
“I was a teenager at the time but I would say probably half the crew were teenagers. You know, that’s a fact of life in the Services. But, I mean at the time the experience was just another adventure, you know? It was another trip to somewhere in the world we hadn’t been to, the Pacific. H-bomb testing, well, we didn’t know anything about it really…” When reflecting on his experience Harnor said, “I’m not really damaged, just a little bent in a couple of places.”
Who are we?
The concept of our organisation began back in 2019, when our founder, Olivia Shimasaki, interviewed nuclear test veterans, hibakusha, and those impacted by the use of nuclear weapons. Interviews and hearing oral histories of individuals sparked a passion in our founder for change. The dominant discourses of history needed to be challenged, and people given a voice. And so, this movement for peace began.
It is our vision to share the voices of those impacted by war, disasters, and violence; we believe people have stories to share that can create positive change for peace.
So, speak up, speak out, and create change.
We invite you to learn more about how you can make an impact and support us today.
No one should be silenced.
Share your story.
Have you or someone you know got a story of peace to share? We are currently accepting inquiries from individuals, families, and organisations who have experienced, or have links to, nuclear weapons use or testing.
To get involved and help spread peace, contact us today.
Volunteer your time.
Our work is never done, and we can use all the help we can get. One of the ways you can take part is by volunteering. Spread the word about all that Speak Up 4 Peace is doing, and help us gain the support we need.