Please feel free to modify the "Walk for Peace" press release to suit your needs. For daily newspapers, it's probably best to send your release on or about Thursday, Sept 8th (for walks scheduled for Saturday, Sept 16th). For weekly papers, it's probably best to get your press releases out at least two weeks before the publication date closest to your event. It's always a good idea to contact a few of these publications to confirm that they've received your release and to ask if they'll cover your event. Please feel free to contact Patty Kuderer (206.910.2422) or Matt Harris (206.331.9728) if you've got any questions (you can also email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Let us know if you need help generating media contact lists for your area. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Date]
[HEADLINE FEATURING LOCAL EVENT. FOR EXAMPLE, "KALAMAZOO STAGES ‘WALK FOR PEACE' ON SEPTEMBER 16TH"]  

Local Walkathon one of many to be held that day across the na-tion to heighten awareness of legislation to establish a U.S. De-partment of Peace and Nonviolence

[City, State] - In collaboration with the Peace Alliance and in community with people in cities and towns across the nation, [NAME OF LOCAL SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] is staging a "Walk for Peace" on September 16th. The Kalamazoo walkathon is expected to draw [NUMBER] people. Organizers say the event will help raise awareness of legislation (HR 3760 and S. 1756) currently in the House and Senate to create a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

Proponents of the legislation hope to build on rapidly-growing grassroots support to persuade lawmakers that the time to create a US Department of Peace is now. Walks are organized in 32 states and the countries of Pakistan and Nigeria.

[QUOTE FROM SOMEONE IN THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION SAYING SOMETHING INSPIRING ABOUT THE DEPT OF PEACE.  IF POSSIBLE, SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HOW IT WOULD BENEFIT THE LOCALE IN WHICH THE WALK WILL HAPPEN.]

The Department of Peace and Nonviolence would benefit everyone. For a small fraction of what we currently allocate to the Defense Department ($8 billion versus more than $419 billion) it would provide a coordinated, proactive approach to reducing violence and would reap enormous benefits in our homes, in our schools, in our communities, our nation, and throughout the world.

Domestically the department would develop policies and allocate resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse and various other forms of societal discord. Statistics reveal that each year, medical expenses from domestic violence alone total at least $3 to $5 billion, and businesses forfeit another $100 million in lost wages, sick leave, absenteeism and non-productivity.   

Internationally, the Department of Peace and Nonviolence would advise the President and Con-gress on the most innovative techniques to create peace among nations. It would also research and analyze the root causes of war and other forms of discord to help prevent conflicts from esca-lating to the point of violence. A Peace Academy, on par with the Military Service Academies, would train civilian peacekeepers and the military in the latest nonviolent conflict resolution strategies and approaches.   

The September 16th Walks for Peace will serve as a prelude to the U.N. International Peace Day on September 21st. On that day, millions of people and more than 1600 groups around the world, including the Peace Alliance, will celebrate the International Day of Peace and support the UN resolution calling for a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

[PARAGRAPH PROVIDIING DETAILS ABOUT LOCAL WALK - START AND END POINTS, TIME, ORGANIZER(S) TO CONTACT, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A FUNDRAISER, ETC.]

The Peace Alliance is a nonprofit, trans-partisan citizen action organization spearheading the na-tional campaign for a US Department of Peace and Nonviolence. For more information on this legislation and our campaign, please visit the Peace Alliance website at: www.thepeacealliance.org.

LOCAL CONTACT: [NAME, PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS]

NATIONAL CONTACTS: Matt Harris, 206.331.9728, Patty Kuderer, 206.910.2422 - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it