David A. Wylie (born November 30, 1929) is an American writer, attorney, and former local politician in
Boston, Massachusetts.
Career
Wylie served as an officer in the
United States Coast Guard at the Houston Port Security Station. Later, he worked on several political campaigns, once as an advance man in a presidential run. He went on to become a public servant serving the city of
Cambridge, Massachusetts for fourteen years, first on the Cambridge School Committee
and eventually on City Council.
As a city councilor, Wylie brought to light the inadequacy of the evacuation plan recommended by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should Cambridge become a target of nuclear attack. This resulted in hearings on the topic and eventually the publication of a pamphlet titled "Cambridge and nuclear weapons: Is there a place to hide?" The pamphlet was well received by people in Cambridge and communities across the state and country requested copies leading to a reprint being ordered. Wylie was also instrumental in the establishment of the Cambridge Peace Commission through a city ordinance. His book is the product of these experiences plus decades of research and advocacy on the topics of
nuclear disarmament, citizen activism, and
global democracy. He has contributed to Massachusetts newspapers like as the ''
Cambridge Chronicle
The ''Cambridge Chronicle'' is a weekly newspaper that serves Cambridge, Massachusetts. The newspaper was founded by Andrew Reid in May 1846 and is the oldest weekly newspaper in the United States.Cambridge Chronicle, May 30, 1996 Owned by Ganne ...
''.
In his book, ''City, Save Thyself! - Nuclear Terror and the Urban Ballot'' (Trueblood Publishing, 2009), Wylie calls on the citizenry to act locally to build the
global democracy needed to keep international peace. He says the nuclear threat is difficult to make personal because most people feel that they are unable to effect change individually. According to Wylie, tremendous power lies in our cities and towns; the trick is being heard. The book was a finalist in the 2010
Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the categories of Current Events and Social Change.
Former US Senator
Bill Bradley
William Warren Bradley (born July 28, 1943) is an American politician and former professional basketball player. He served three terms as a Democratic U.S. senator from New Jersey (1979–1997). He ran for the Democratic Party's nomination f ...
said of the book "Wylie offers a powerful message: If you want to fix America, begin at the local level, but think globally and in the process revive our democracy."
See also
*
List of peace activists
References
External links
Idea Ransacker- David Wylie's blog
Cambridge Peace Commission
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wylie, David
Arms control people
American anti–nuclear weapons activists
American nonviolence advocates
Living people
1929 births
Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council members
Cambridge, Massachusetts School Committee members
Massachusetts lawyers
United States Air Force officers