On the Anniversary of Grapple 'Y', LABRATS and The Daily Mirror 'A Medal for Heroes' launch the #lookmeintheeye campaign. Where we are challenging the UK Prime Minister to meet with our representatives.
Grapple 'Y' was detonated on Christmas Island on 28th April 1958, with a yield of approximately 3 Mt. Many servicemen were forced to watch this explosion, some flew through the radioactive cloud sampling, others washed down contaminated aircraft.
In December 2020, the UK Government accepted the recommendation from the Advisory Military Sub-Committee not to award the UK Atomic veterans a medal in recognition for their service. Claiming that they did not meet the Risk and Rigour needed. We disagree with this recommendation. We are now challenging the UK Prime Minister through our 'Look Me In The Eye' campaign to meet with Veterans and their families. Since Atomic testing started in 1952, no UK Prime Minister has ever met with the veterans. The denial has gone on long enough. You can help with this campaign: 1. Record Your Message Record a 15 second video message and upload it via Social Media to any platform using the #lookmeintheeye. Use the following scripts: Nuclear Veterans My name is XXXXX, I am a Nuclear Veteran, I was present at XXXX test. I am challenging you Prime Minister to meet with me and look me in the eye and tell me why I am not worthy for recognition by the UK Government Descendants (where the Veteran is deceased) My name is XXXXX, I am the (son / daughter / grandson / granddaughter of XXXX of a Nuclear Veteran who was present at XXXX test. You never looked him in the eye and now it is too late. I am challenging you Prime Minister to meet with me and look me in the eye and tell me why my father / grandfather was not worthy of recognition by the UK Government. Descendants (where the Veteran is still alive) My name is XXXXX, I am the (son / daughter / grandson / granddaughter of XXXX of a Nuclear Veteran who was present at XXXX test. I am challenging you Prime Minister to meet with me and look me in the eye and tell me why my father / grandfather was not worthy of recognition by the UK Government. Supporters My name is XXX and I am supporting the Look Me In the Eye campaign. It is time the United Kingdom recognised these veterans and their families. I stand with the Atomic Family in asking the Prime Minister to meet with them and explain why they are not worthy of recognition. 2. Promote the Campaign across Social Media. Tell the World Share our web page www.labrats.international/lookmeintheeye and use #lookmeintheeye on each post. Ask family and friends to record a video. Like our Facebook page @atomiclabrats. Purchase the Daily Mirror and share their online content of the campaign.
Every 2 hours from 8am, our Social Media feeds will feature videos of support from many Veterans, family members, MP's and Celebrities.
Listen to our first video of support:
Thank you for your continued support.