From Nairobi, Kenya to Ashland, OR—International Day of Peace Gatherings Around the World
As the 10th annual Campaign Nonviolence Action Days draws to a close, organizers from around the world are sending us details about all they accomplished. We’d love to uplift every one of the 5,057 actions, so be sure to send your action report if you participated this year and keep an eye on the blog for more stories like these.
Lorraine Cook writes from Ashland, OR on behalf of Peace House, South Mountain Friends Meeting & Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance, “Three Ashland organizations are co-hosting a reading group featuring three different books—the novel Winds of Change, the autobiography See No Stranger, and a peace research and skills manual titled Are We Done Fighting?—each exploring what it means to shift to a culture of peace and build a community of nonviolence. Halfway through our 4 sessions, we are enjoying the camaraderie of discovering connections and generating inspired ideas for going forward.”
Isaac Omondie with New Generation Outreach in Nairobi, Kenya shares that 180 people gathered on the International Day of Peace for “Education and sports for Peace.” He writes, “At school we held educational activities, teaching 'I care language,' and 'If you see bullying, what can you do?' We also had a Football for Peace tournament. It makes a difference when the youths and teenagers play together as a team. They learn life skills that will help them live in harmony.”
Suzanne Gallagher with Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in the Merion Area in Merion, PA says 60 people joined together for a Reflection and prayer around the Peace Pole planted on the lawn of the convent on the International Day of Peace. She continues, “We reviewed the history of the Peace Pole to begin. The prayer was a mixture of readings from various figures who have worked for peace, songs, and prayers. So many people came that we ran out of flyers and chairs. The event was attended by many members of our nearby school and the sisters who live in the Convent of Mercy. Many people commented on how meaningful the service was and how much the appreciated the chance to pray for International Peace. Raising consciousness is a good first step toward building a culture of nonviolence. We handed out the Vow of Nonviolence from Pax Christi. We are hoping that our small effort will have an effect in people's hearts, and in the world.
Georgeann Hartzog with Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois in Carbondale, IL reports, “We held an hour-long vigil for the International Day of Peace conducted in Carbondale's Friendship Plaza which also contains an International Peace Pole (erected in 2007). Since it is a location near the SIU campus, several SIU students stopped to talk or express appreciation for the theme. Passing traffic honked in recognition. Reminding the public that there are options to the violence and militarism that is so front and center in society helps to contribute to a culture of nonviolence.”
Sarah Pirtle with Sing Out for Peace led by Discovery Center for Peacebuilding in Shelburne Falls, MA writes, “SING OUT FOR PEACE was an intimate conversation through music with about 20 people in attendance. We looked at peacebuilding from five angles.
Conflict engagement. A man in his 20's played guitar for "Talk It Out" (a song I wrote that begins, "Talk it Out. I don't want to do it,") and we talked about role models.
Changing racism. I read the words of Dee Shabazz as she spoke about "respecting Black Rage." I wrote a song from her words and the group learned it and we made a youtube video with it.
Peace legacy. I wrote another new song about "there hasn't always been war" and we discussed our kinesthetic knowing as young people that humans are born to cooperate.
Afro-centric Spirituals. We sang and talked about the birth of these songs.
Peace camp favorite songs -- with Journey Campers we sang songs written by young people at camp.
People who never met before came together for peace and a wide age range mixed who wouldn't have otherwise had an occasion to be together. A girl from Journey Camp brought grandparents and siblings. Two teenagers sang and a woman who just got a grant to support teens singing met them. We have at least two collaborations for the future based on meeting, singing, exchanging ideas. The mix of ages made a huge difference. The director of the Water Street Barn offered a space for the three high school age singers to do interviews.
Below are the new lyrics: PEACE IS NEARBY by Sarah Pirtle written September 29, 2023
First line is from Pete Seeger in his book, Where have all the Flowers Gone.
(1) I have drunk from wells I did not dig. Been warmed by fires I did not build.
Hands reach me from ages past. I break bread from grain I did not til.
CHORUS: Peace is nearby. Peace is our history. Our longest story. We carry peace inside.
(2) There’s a long long line that carries us, back from long before.
I’ve always known it in my heart. There has not always been war.
Chorus
(3) We meet again around the fire, sending prayers to future ones.
Joining voices, raising higher. We care what the world becomes.
Repeat: There’s a long line that carries us, back from long before.
I’ve always known it in my heart. There has not always been war.
Chorus
SONG FOR DEE SHABAZZ
by Sarah Pirtle with Dee’s words
1) What will we do with our rage? What will we do with our rage? We’ll keep on speaking up. That’s what we’ll do with our rage.
2) We won’t go back to sleep. We won’t go back to sleep. ‘Cuz we know how bad it is - so we won’t go back to sleep.
3) My freedom is tied to yours. My freedom is tied to yours. Gonna hear each others’ truth. My freedom is tied to yours.
4) Black Lives Matter must matter. Black Lives Matter must matter. Gonna keep moving into action. Black Lives Matter must matter.
5) What will we do with our rage? What will we do with our rage? We’ll keep on speaking up. That’s what we’ll do with our rage.”