New Momentum for Saner Nuclear Policy highlights

Ploughshares Fund and Hollywood, Health & Society co-sponsored a discussion on building a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons that brought together activists, experts, policy-makers and top names in entertainment, including actor/producer Michael Douglas.

The multi-award-winning Douglas, a UN Messenger for Peace and a board member of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, joined other high-profile names on the panel: Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), co-sponsor of Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act; Kennette Benedict, a nuclear expert and advisor to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor for President Obama; and Yasmeen Silva, lead organizer for Beyond the Bomb’s #NoFirstUse and other campaigns.

Elizabeth Warner, director of development for Ploughshares Fund, served as moderator for the event, “New Momentum for Saner Nuclear Policy,” held March 18 at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

Also in attendance as special guests were TV writers and producers to talk about depictions of nuclear risks on TV: Paul Redford, writer/producer (“The West Wing,” “The Newsroom,” “Madam Secretary,” “Designated Survivor”); David Grae, writer/producer (“Madam Secretary,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Castle”); Lila Byock, writer/producer (“The Leftovers,” “Manhattan,” “Castle Rock”); and Sam Shaw, creator/showrunner/writer (“Manhattan,” “Castle Rock”).