The Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) invites the community to join in honoring Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day at 5 p.m today, Monday, Feb. 24, in the Verizon Ballroom. This event is open to everyone, both within and outside the university, and serves as an opportunity to learn about the history and lasting impacts of U.S. nuclear testing on four of the Marshall Islands Atolls.

Between 1946 and 1958, the United States conducted nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, primarily on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. These tests, part of the Cold War arms race, aimed to develop and assess the power of nuclear weapons. The largest, Castle Bravo (1954), was 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, spreading radioactive fallout across inhabited islands. The testing led to forced relocations, severe health issues, and lasting environmental damage, with many Marshallese people still experiencing its effects today.

While traditionally observed on March 1st, this year's commemoration has been scheduled earlier to ensure broader participation. The event will highlight the experiences of survivors and recognize the profound effects that nuclear testing has had on Marshallese communities. Through this gathering, PISA seeks to educate attendees, foster awareness, and pay tribute to those affected by these devastating events.

PISA encourages everyone to attend, listen, and engage in meaningful discussions about this historically significant and deeply personal topic.

For any questions, please contact pisa@uark.edu. We look forward to seeing you there as we come together in remembrance and understanding.