Warheads to Windmills Newsletter, Jan 2026

The Warheads to Windmills Coalition is are hard at work around the country pushing for nuclear disarmament and environmental justice.  Follow along with updates and spotlights from members around the country.

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On September 26th, 2025, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) reached a significant milestone, underscored by Kyrgyzstan signing and Ghana ratifying the treaty. Currently, there are 95 signatories and 74 states parties. With a majority of the world’s countries having officially signed, ratified, or acceded to the TPNW, this marks a stark shift. Approved by the United Nations a little over eight years ago and in force for less than five, the treaty remains relatively young, but its influence is expanding.

The TPNW comprehensively bans nuclear weapons, outlawing their development, possession, testing, use, and even threats of use.  It is important for UN member states to both sign and ratify the TPNW as signing signals political support and helps build global momentum, reinforcing the norm that nuclear weapons are unacceptable, while ratification makes that commitment legally binding, requiring states to align national laws and policies with the treaty and allowing them to fully participate in its implementation. Together, widespread signing and ratification increase the treaty’s credibility, isolate pro-nuclear states, and translate moral opposition into enforceable international law.

In April of last year, Kyrgyzstan announced its decision to join the TPNW at the meeting of the third preparatory committee of the review conference for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. But it was in September, Zheenbek Kulubaev, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the treaty at the United Nations. 

“Kyrgyzstan firmly supports the efforts of the international community to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons,” the delegation’s statement said. “We are committed to ensuring future generations live without the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.”

In Ghana, the country signed the TPNW in September 2017 and participated in the first Meeting of States Parties and the Africa Regional Seminar on the TPNW, both in 2022. However, at the third meeting of states parties to the TPNW in March, Ghana stated its commitment to ratify the treaty, underscoring its long-standing support for the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone. It was Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, who announced his country’s ratification, bringing the total to 99 of 197 eligible states that have taken legal action under the treaty. That message was echoed in Africa, where Ghana’s ratification was hailed as a landmark moment. Theodora Williams, Anti of the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa, described it as a declaration that real security lies in cooperation, not annihilation.

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Did you know that every year the nuclear weapons industrial complex gathers near D.C. with industry executives, defense contractors, and global leaders, including congressmen? They meet for an annual event called the “Nuclear Deterrence Summit” to discuss their purpose: making more nuclear weapons. This year, the theme for the summit is “Accelerating the Mission: Delivering Deterrence with Urgency”. It is clear they are calling for an arms race. In 2023, NuclearBan.US’s Vicki Elson attended the summit with a press pass.  You can read her account of the events here to get a better picture of what is discussed inside the building. It is shocking to see how starkly people within the industry discuss a lack of regard for safety guardrails, and finances as a motivator.

Every year, in response to the deterrence summit, a gathering of dedicated peace protesters assembles outside of the deterrence summit, held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. They offer a contrast to the discussions happening within the hotel– the protestors support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons(TPNW), call out deterrence’s false narratives, and reject the exorbitant spending on nuclear weapons.  The outcome document from the 3rd Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW firmly rejected deterrence doctrines, which jeopardize the security of all states. 

The protest gatherings are led by Anthony Donovan, who has previously attended the conference with a press pass but has been unable to in recent years for being recognized as a voice for peace.  This year, the deterrence summit is happening January 26th-28th in Arlington.  Anthony will hold his vigil in protest on January 27th, while the conference is running.  That same morning, in D.C. another story will be unfolding as the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announces the 2026 time of the Doomsday Clock, which currently sits at 89 seconds to midnight.  While experts agree we are closer to nuclear annihilation than ever before, the industry seems only dedicated to taking us closer to destruction.

To join the protest, bring banners, signs, and warm clothes and gather outside the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia on January 27th. Get in touch with Anthony Donovan, with questions. (If you need, you can reach out to Warheads to Windmills to be put in touch with Anthony.)

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Four defendants charged with trespass and disturbing the peace in connection with their March 19, 2025 protest in the lobby of the Northampton branch of weapons maker L3Harris Technologies, were found not responsible by Northampton District Court Judge Mary Beth Ogulewicz in a written decision released Monday.

The verdict follows a December 18, 2025 hearing on the charges, attended by more than 75 supporters, in which the defendants raised what is known as the “necessity” defense, arguing that their actions were justified by the urgency of demanding that L3Harris stop shipping weapons to the Israeli military that are being used to kill Palestinian civilians in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Judge Ogulewicz’ decision was delivered in a single sentence: “After consideration of the testimony, exhibits, applicable law and arguments of counsel, I find the defendants Not Responsible on all counts.”

Jaime Rogers, the defendants’ lawyer, said that “Not Responsible” is a legal term used in a civil case that is the equivalent of “innocent” or “not guilty.”

The case and the verdict are highly unusual for several reasons. First, Judge Ogulewicz converted the charges from criminal to civil offenses, with lower penalties, saying that the allegations against the Defendants did not merit criminal prosecution. In addition, the Judge allowed the necessity defense to be raised and argued at the hearing.  Finally, victory in the use of the necessity defense in protest cases is extraordinarily rare.

The defendants’ case was buttressed by affidavits written on their behalf by:

• Josh Paul, former U.S. State Department official who resigned in October 2023 over the illegal shipment of U.S. weapons to Israel; Co-director of A New Policy.
• Noam Perry, weapons investigator, American Friends Service Committee, former intelligence analyst for the Israeli Defense Forces.
• Christian Sorenson, author of “Understanding the War Industry”, Associate Director of the Eisenhower Media Network
• Stellan Vinthagen, Inaugural Endowed Chair in the Study of Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Resistance, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Timmon Wallis – Executive Director of Nuclear Ban USA.

Comments by the defendants:

Trish Gallagher:

“L3H earns huge profits making weapons of war. We think this is blood money. The goal of our act of civil disobedience was to persuade L3H to stop making a killing on killing.”

Priscilla Lynch:

“We pushed for a jury trial because we believed that a jury of our peers would share our horror at what was and is happening in Gaza with weapons from L3 Harris and would share the belief in the necessity of our actions. In fact, the 75 or so “jury of our peers,” present in the courtroom and overflowing into hallway confirmed our belief. The Court’s verdict validates the necessity of our action against the perpetrators of Genocide, including L3Harris right here in Northampton.”

Nick Mottern:

“We are extremely grateful that our lawyer and the Judge understood that the real lawbreaker in this case is L3Harris Technologies, which is violating various U.S. and international laws daily to profit from the slaughter of Palestinians.”

Paki Wieland:

“The verdict gives weight to the Necessity Defense. This finding will strengthen Necessity as a stance in the future.”

The defendants entered the L3Harris lobby on the morning of March 19, 2025, with a citizens arrest warrant for L3Harris’ CEO Chris Kubasik, to demand that he and his company end their illegal complicity in the Gaza genocide.  In the statement to Kubasik, the group also condemned L3Harris’ manufacture of parts for nuclear weapons and equipment used by ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Israeli government.

While one of the Defendants read the statement, the group threw play money stained with red paint around the lobby.  After about 45 minutes, during which the Defendants declined to leave, all four were arrested and charged with criminal Trespass and Disturbing the Peace.  The Defendants pleaded not guilty and sought a jury trial to affirm the necessity of their actions.

L3Harris Technologies Inc net income for the twelve months ending September 30, 2025 was $1.759B, a 45.73% increase year-over-year.  It is reported to be the sixth largest weapons maker in the U.S. and 12th largest in the world.  Its Northampton plant produces periscopes for all submarines an electronically enhanced targeting equipment for naval vessels.

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Other Announcements:

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Have a story or suggestion for the Warheads to Windmills Newsletter?  Please write to adevos@napf.org.