Brunswick Maine Peace Fair remembers Sadako and Hiroshima Day

In Brunswick.Maine the fourth annual Peace Fair will again focus on the commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the reading of "Sadako and the Thousand Cranes" by two local actors at the opening of the fair.

A member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom reports that the majority of planning committee members of the fair are WILPF members. but it is a coalition effort involving many community organizations. Organizers use the occasion to celebrate life and humann rights rather than the ways of war, They seek to raise awareness of peace and justice issues and move community members to positive action.

The WILPF table at the fair, for instance, will focus on the water issue -- a major issue in Maine due to the ever increasing presence of Nestlé (Poland Springs) in that state. However, Nestlé was dealt a blow just a couple of weeks ago when the Water District of Kennebunk. Kennebunkport and Wells, decided not to go ahead on a vote to sell land to Nestlé for increased water extraction. The citizens of the 3 towns were very verbal in their opposition to the sale of the land -- the Water District might have gone ahead with the sale save for the rallying of the people. The people spoke and were heard -- very exciting! Of course, the victory is small and Nestlé et al will continue to press their plans, but for the moment people in Maine can celebrate.