DC Days 2024: Addressing Nuclear Weapons and Waste Cleanup
The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA) hosted its annual DC Day in May! DC Days is an opportunity for organizations like PSR-LA to engage with our Representatives. This year, PSR-LA Associate Director Denise, Grassroots Organizing & Policy Coordinator Maylene, and Energy Justice Director Alex joined countless advocacy and community groups in our nation’s capital to provide recommendations to address nuclear weapons and waste cleanup.
By: Maylene Hughes, Grassroots Organizing & Policy Coordinator, Nuclear Threats ProgramFrom May 18 to 23, I participated in ANA's annual D.C. Days in Washington, D.C. This was my first year attending and speaking to congressional staffers in person. There was a lot of information to absorb. I was quite nervous because I wanted to perform well and feel confident as I addressed our recommendations on nuclear weapons, cleanup, and waste management. After meeting with three offices on the first day, I felt more comfortable and confident for the remainder of the time. It was an incredible experience to speak in front of these officials and convey the urgency of these issues while also learning how to lobby and understanding the importance of hearing from advocacy groups on this side of the nuclear spectrum. While I am grateful for the professional knowledge I gained and the experience of lobbying on the Hill, the highlight of my trip was connecting with others in the nuclear space and building relationships. I had meaningful conversations with various passionate individuals advocating for nuclear abolition. I especially enjoyed meeting peers my age and learning from their experiences in the field, discussing how we can collaborate in the future.
This is why advocating in person is so important. It creates a space for community building and relationship development beyond the superficiality of Zoom and email. The phrase "It's so nice to see/meet you in person!" was commonly heard, underscoring the value of face-to-face interactions. In-person advocacy not only strengthens and develops our networks but also significantly enhances our efforts when presenting to our representatives. It builds personal connections and trust, allows for real-time feedback and dialogue, and conveys non-verbal cues that make your message more impactful. It shows a higher level of commitment, enhancing your credibility and ensuring focused attention from policymakers. Plus, it offers valuable networking opportunities and helps forge stronger, long-term relationships for future advocacy efforts.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in ANA's D.C. Days and had so much fun throughout the entire experience. I learned a lot and hold my first D.C. Days appearance near and dear to my heart. I can't wait to attend many more in the years to come! Let's continue to fight and advocate for the frontline communities affected by nuclear weapons production and testing. We must divest from nuclear weapons and make the government invest our taxpayer dollars to help our communities directly. We, as constituents, have the power to influence our representatives to genuinely work towards a world free from nuclear weapons for all.
About ANA
ANA's collaboration of grassroots groups has worked for 37 years at local, regional, state, and national levels to address health and safety issues at Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration sites for workers, the public, and the environment.
The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability groups focus on:
Stopping new nuclear weapons design, engineering, production, and testing activities.
Addressing challenges from cleanup and waste management, processing, storage, and disposal.
Stopping the creation of new nuclear waste.
