Citizens to Stop Nuclear Terrorism

Citizens to Stop Nuclear Terrorism has a 10-part strategy to raise public awareness of the dangers of a nuclear 9/11 and to stimulate greater action to prevent such a catastrophe:

1. Local Media Campaign

Few Americans know that there is enough unsecured nuclear materials worldwide to make at least several thousand Hiroshima-style atomic bombs. Much of these materials is in Russia, where U.S. efforts to help lock up plutonium and highly enriched uranium could, if accelerated, ensure that they are secure.

The majority of the nation’s 1,600 daily newspapers appear not to have editorialized on the topic or published an opinion article about it recently, if at all.

CSNT wants to change this, to reach Americans where they live. The objective is to raise Americans’ public awareness so that nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation become topics for discussion. CSNT intends to distribute a variety of material on the topic, including opinion articles, editorials, press releases, ideas for talk shows and providing experts on nuclear terrorism to the media.

For starters, CSNTis distributing an opinion article by Graham Allison, director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, to media nationwide and has circulated a suggested editorial.

2. Education of Lawmakers

CSNT is using an experienced team to educate policymakers and their staffs in Congress. The goal is to convey information about the threat of nuclear terrorism and related issues, using information from the leading research centers on the subject. CSNT has contacted nearly 100 congressional offices so far. The results have been encouraging.

3. Communication with U.S. Officials
 
CSNT will communicate on nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation with federal officials outside of Congress --- in the White House and agencies.

4. Communication with State Officials

CSNT is also planning a campaign about nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation with governors and other key state officials such as law enforcement and homeland security departments.

5. Alliance with Affinity Groups

CSNT will form an alliance with first responders and veterans groups to ensure that their voice is added to the effort to increase steps to stop nuclear terrorism and address proliferation.

6. Presidential Campaign

CSNT will work with other interested groups to stimulate discussion of nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation during the 2008 presidential campaign. CSNT intends to query candidates about their stance regarding these vital issues and publish their responses.

7. Communication with Business Leaders

CSNT will engage in a series of targeted mailings to top executives of major corporations to raise the issue of nuclear terrorism and stimulate action by this leadership group.

8. Speaker’s Bureau

CSNT will use a speaker's bureau to communicate information about nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation to a wide audience across the country. This strategy has two parts: national experts will address large audiences whenever the opportunity arises and staff members and selected members of CSNT will speak at local events such as Rotary Club meetings in major cities.

9. Community Meetings

CSNT will continue a series of public meetings on nuclear terrorism and nonproliferation that it started in 2005. The meetings, conducted in private homes and larger venues, typically include a briefing and viewing of the film, Last Best Chance, which was produced by the Nuclear Threat Initiative and stars former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, an actor. The discussion provides valuable information about public attitudes toward these issues. The meetings will give people an opportunity to express their opinions to lawmakers via banks of laptop computers that they can use to e-mail their views.

10. Web Site

CSNT's redesigned Web site includes information from major researchers on nuclear terrorism. It provides tools for interested citizens to write letters to the editor of their local newspapers or to their elected representatives. CSNT will explore the potential of using blogs and video postings of interviews with experts and citizens, virtual town hall meetings and other content to engage the public, particularly younger Americans.