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Johnson accused of insulting the memory of the hundreds and thousands of civilians killed in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings

BORIS JOHNSON is insulting the memory of the hundreds and thousands of civilians killed in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks by celebrating “Victory over Japan,” peace campaigners said today.

The Prime Minister and his allies have been accused of ignoring the nuclear bombings by the United States and of “erasing history” for their plans to celebrate VJ Day on August 16.

The accusation came from the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) as hundreds of events were staged in Britain and worldwide to mark the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear bomb being dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 1945.

Campaigners hit out at Mr Johnson for announcing plans for the VJ Day celebrations without mentioning the nuclear bombings, which have had devastating effects on civilians to this day.

PPU members joined other peace and human rights groups at memorial events for Hiroshima Day today. The PPU is also preparing educational materials for VJ Day 75.

Remembrance project manager Geoff Tibbs said: “Boris Johnson and his ministers are encouraging us to celebrate VJ Day without even mentioning the nuclear bombings. 

“This is a shameful attempt to erase history and play down the horrors of war.

“The government, armed forces and arms industry have an interest in ignoring the realities of war, particularly nuclear warfare, at a time when their Trident nuclear missile system is being renewed and the UK government is refusing to sign up to the global nuclear ban treaty.”

Mr Tibbs said that the government is right to encourage remembrance for Allied troops who died in the war, including the 12,000 British people who died due to horrific mistreatment while in Japanese captivity. 

But he warned that not including Japanese victims in remembrance along with British victims and those of other nationalities gives a “lopsided view” of history.

“Children, as well as adults, are being given a misleading impression of the events of World War II,” Mr Gibbs added. 

Today, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament hosted many events around Britain, mainly online due to coronavirus restrictions, as well as an online exhibition.

Commemorative events included a silent vigil in Bradford in West Yorkshire staged by the Women in Black protest movement.

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