Action Reports from Grand Junction, CO; Unity, ME; Ganta City, Liberia; Opelika, AL; & Joliet, IL
Campaign Nonviolence Action Days, Sept 21-Oct 2, has launched to a great start with Action Reports rolling in from around the world. Here are some of the photos and stories that have come back from communities large and small, near and far.
Ganta City, Liberia, celebrated the International Day of Peace with over 500 youth and stakeholders. A morning yoga session was followed by formal indoor discussion and peace dialogue. In the evening, the closing ceremony included the reading and signing of the Ganta Peace Declaration, a culture display, and a presentation by Dr Branko Saah Tambah, a survivor of the Civil War in Liberia. The daylong event was organized by the Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights in collaboration with the Tambah Foundation. One organizer wrote, “Youth and stakeholders gathered in Ganta for this significant event, which was truly powerful.” The youth signed a peace banner and lit peace torches. Abigail L. Freeman with the Alliance for Peace, Justice & Human Rights wrote, "The most fascinating aspect of the International Day of Peace celebration in Ganta was witnessing young Liberians signing and lighting their peace torches. After 14 years of civil war, Liberian youth were often seen as perpetrators of violence and vulnerable individuals exploited by politicians. However, there is a significant shift happening, with the reality of youth as ambassadors of peace becoming increasingly evident."
In Grand Junction, Colorado, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Valley held a series of events with children and others. On September 21st, the International Day of Peace, their celebration included a peace pole planting at the church. They write, “We celebrated the planting of our peace pole yesterday through reflection, poetry, song, and dance." The children also participated in a teach-in on the nonviolent path of Cesar Chavez leading up to Delano Grape Strike & Boycott, 1965-70. Throughout the month of September, the congregation is hosting a 3-part workshop on Conflict & Conversation for adults.
In Opelika, Alabama, the Samford Community Outreach Peace Group held a Peace Prayer March and Rally, followed by a discussion about keeping the peace, and fostering love in the community. Mayor Gary Fuller also made a Peace Proclamation in honor of the day. Youth and family members made signs against violence, including gun violence, to carry at the rally.
Joliet, Illinois, is home to the Nonviolent Cities Project-Joliet, part of the nationwide Nonviolent Cities Project. On September 21st, organizers Cetta Smart, Doug Kaspar, Karen Johnson, and others held an International Day of Peace Celebration and a Peace Walk. They rallied at the peace pole and carried signs through the town, including the Nonviolence Means … posters. Joliet Township Community Violence Intervention partnered with them on this event. On Sept 17, 2024, the City of Joliet issued a Peace Proclamation and officially declared Joliet to be a Nonviolent City. Read a local news story and see more photos here.
At the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine, on September 21, 2024, a coalition of Maine peace activists coordinated an afternoon of talks and events. As over 24,000 people attended the fair that day, they passed by the group’s posters and tables, and some stopped in at the Social & Political Action Tent to listen to talks from activists. Martha Morrison with World BEYOND War brought together a coalition of groups as the Maine Peace Education Initiative, and used the event to launch a year-long effort to foster anti-war and peace education throughout the state. Campaign Nonviolence’s nationwide coordinator, Rivera Sun, spoke about building a culture of peace and activist nonviolence. Artist Robert Shetterly unveiled the newest portrait in the Americans Who Tell The Truth portrait series which featured Doug Rawlings, founder of Veterans For Peace. Doug read his anti-war poetry and spoke about his journey from soldier to peace activist. Other activists spoke about related social justice issues and information about the costs of militarism was distributed. You can watch a local news clip here.