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From California to Montana to Florida to Maine, hundreds of Department of Peace campaign supporters came out—rain or shine—to walk the talk of peace. On Saturday, September 15, 2007, participants in the second-annual "Walk for Peace" walkathons
brought a message of hope and possibility to more than 50 cities in 24 states. Some simply walked, others held concerts, fairs, and fundraisers, and all raised awareness of the deep need for increased efforts in violence reduction
and prevention in general, and of the Department of Peace legislation in particular. Below are pictures and reports from some of the Walks held around the nation.
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Detroit, MI
Torrance, CA
Bigfork, MT
South Florida
Great Barrington, MA
Watertown, TN
Seattle, WA
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Gainesville, FL
Hollidaysburg, PA
Concord, MA
San Antonio, TX
Austin, TX
Morristown, NJ
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Detroit, MI
On Saturday, September 22, 2007, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson and members of The Peace Alliance, and their family and friends, gathered for our Walk for Peace through the Cities of Ferndale and Detroit. The Councilwoman gave an inspirational talk regarding peace and justice before leading the group of 40 people for a 4-mile walk.  We walked through the Ferndale Arts Festival and handed scores of Department of Peace brochures to members of the public and various artists. Everyone who we approached was interested in the proposed legislation and people made comments like "We need that!", and "What a great idea!" As we walked down Woodward Avenue, which is recognized as the main drag in the Motor City and designated as M-1 (Michigan 1), numerous cars honked their horns and shouted support. Towards the end of the walk, we passed the Western District Police Station for the City of Detroit and a couple of our walkers entered and gave DoP brochures to officers at the desk. Our walk ended at Palmer Park where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and the last day of summer sunshine.
This Walk for Peace was sponsored by DoP activists from Michigan's 14th Congressional District (represented by the Hon. John Conyers, Jr.) with much assistance by DoP activists from Michigan's 11th District (represented by Hon. Thaddeus McCotter), who are known as "The Citizens for Peace." At this point, we have raised $3,100.50 for The Peace Alliance and its activities. We are grateful to all who walked and all who supported the walkers with your generous donations. We are especially grateful to the Detroit City Council (which was the first legislative body of the 10 most populous American cities to adopt a resolution in support of proposed federal legislation to create a U.S. Department of Peace) for adopting a resolution in support of the walk and, in particular, to the Hon. JoAnn Watson for leading our walk. It goes without saying that we look forward to next year's walk!"
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Torrance, CA
On Saturday, over 100 citizen activists participated in two peace walks
in the Los Angeles area, part of the nationwide Walk for Peace sponsored by
The Peace Alliance. This non-profit, nonpartisan organization is leading the
campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence (HR 808).
A cabinet-level Department of Peace would augment and complement current public
safety strategies, and
fund and expand proven domestic and international programs
that reduce and prevent violence.
The morning walk took place in the Crenshaw District, led by campaign District
Team Lead Mel Taylor. Taylor's district is represented by Congresswoman Diane
Watson, a co-sponsor of the legislation. The afternoon walk took place in Torrance,
led by campaign District Team Lead Jo Ann Gaines. The public response to the
assembled walkers at the intersection of Hawthorne and Artesia Boulevards was,
in Gaines' words, "strong evidence that these issues resonate with the citizens
of the South Bay." Gaines' district is represented by Congresswoman Jane Harman,
who has not yet co-sponsored the legislation. The participants in the walks
covered a broad spectrum of ages, political affiliations, and cultural backgrounds.
A group of twenty peace workers from Japan came directly from the airport
to the walk in Torrance to support the campaign in the United States. Japan
has its own movement to create a Ministry of Peace, and will host the  3rd Global
Peace Summit next week in Tokyo. Representatives from The Peace Alliance will
attend this summit, along with delegates from 20 different countries.
Speakers at the Torrance event included journalist Jackeline Cacho, a National
Spokesperson for The Peace Alliance Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace,
along with Steve Robertson, of Project Peace on Earth, Father Richard Estrada,
of La Placita Olvera Church in Los Angeles, and Tory Haslinger, a state co-coordinator
for the local Department of Peace Campaign.
Focusing on how this legislation would affect the local LA community, Ms.
Cacho said. "It's criminal that our communities suffer day in and day out when
the talent and experience needed to heal them is within our reach. If we support
this legislation, we can see a difference right in our own homes, schools and
neighborhoods."
Sakada, a key supporter of the walk in Torrance, made her home available
as the gathering point. Sakada operates GeniusWork, which provides coaching
for artists and writers, and offers a variety of events, workshops, and meditations
to encourage community and activism. A permanent 3-tiered labyrinth, designed
by Annemarie Rawlinson, was installed specifically for the event. Rounding
out the team of key supporters for the walks was April Halprin Wayland, a writer,
and one of the founders of a local peace group Our Peace Team, and Jeff Wayland,
who created a special website for this event.
After the walks, the Free To Be Me Drum Circle led a celebration for all
the participants. This non-profit organization works with kids at-risk, students,
seniors, people with mental challenges, and others by providing educational
drumming events.
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Bigfork, MT
 In the small Montana village of Bigfork, about 30 walkers, ranging in
age from 5 to 85, gathered at 10 a.m. to participate in the 2nd Annual
Bigfork Walk for Peace to support the Campaign for a U.S. Department of
Peace.
Debi Strong, state coordinator for the DOP
movement in Montana, organized and led the walk that meandered through
and around the town. Stops were frequent, to accommodate everyone's
pace, which also allowed Strong to deliver inspirational peace-related
quotes from famous persons like Albert Einstein, George Washington,
Eleanor Roosevelt, Buckminster Fuller, and General David M. Shoup.
Everyone enjoyed the walk, including a large contingent from Glacier
High School whose leader, Kenny Yarus, will be forming a chapter of the
Student Peace Alliance at their school in the very near future. Kenny's
dad, Bill, was also in the walk and plans to become more involved
locally, along with many of the other walkers. Marti Noel, and members
of her Social Justice committee from Kalispell's Unitarian Church, also
left inspired to get more active with the DOP.
Everyone who came expressed the need to walk their talk of peace. Some
were new to peace activities, while others had been active in the civil
rights and social justice issues of the 1960s.
Reporters from the Bigfork Eagle and the Lakeshore Country News were on hand to cover the walk.
An excellent lunch at Sun Mountain Pizzeria, owned by peace supporters
Russell & Jamie Meads, was provided for FREE. We all enjoyed
delicious pizza with a whole-wheat, hand-tossed crust, refreshing
drinks, and luscious ice cream, while discussing the walk and making
plans for other possible activities in the future.
As of this evening, our total collected is: $1,276.40. More contributions are expected.
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| Gainesville, FL
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South Florida
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Hollidaysburg, PA
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Here it is, the energy of beautiful beings, accepting the incredible
challenge and opportunity, to walk for Peace, a call for Peace, and walk
to serve Peace in our most Beloved community. Sept.15,2007 in Hollidaysburg,
Pa We created the space for a U.S. Department of Peace and nonviolence
H.R.808 , here in Central Pa. We are requesting our Congressman Bill
Shuster, Senators Arlen Specter,Senator Robert Casey to BE , to Be Bold,
and Brave, and co-sponsor , this Bill for our district, along with the
senators to re-introduce it before the Senate. What wonderful moments,
Thank you, Thank you!
With massive respect and gratitude, to each and everyone ,who shared
the gift of their presence. It truly was Beautiful
Namaste'
- Dennis
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Great Barrington, MA
Walk for Peace - District
One Massachusetts Campaign US Department of Peace
Under clearing skies, about 35 people took part in the Walk for Peace,
which passed through downtown Great Barrington and ended at the Gazebo
by the Town Hall, on Saturday, September 15. Participants were invited to
bring signs, drums, and shakers so the walk was a joyful and rhythmic event.
Because it was a short walk lasting less than half an hour, it was doable
by youngsters and elders. After the group arrived at the gazebo, Tamarack
Garlow, Coordinator for the District One Massachusetts Campaign, gave a short
presentation explaining more about the Department of Peace. An hour and a
half of live music followed his presentation. Folk musicians Graham & Barbara
Dean, and then Fran Mandeville & Lisa Sturz performed for the appreciative
audience who also enjoyed the donated water and watermelon.
Tamarack Garlow spearheaded the effort with assistance from other volunteers including Laura Grunfeld and Jurek Zamoyski.
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Concord, MA
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On September 15th, eleven intrepid walkers showed up at the Concord
Public Library. We walked from there to Concord's Old North Bridge
and back to support, raise awareness and money for the creation of a
Department of Peace. The heavy rain failed to dampen the high spirits
of the walkers,who included three young boys, the youngest was two. On
the way back through Concord Center as we walked through the center of
the farmer's market, we recieved warm support as we spontaniously
chanted "What do we what? Peace! When do we want it? Now!".
Although few in number, we felt well rewarded for our efforts in behalf
of this important cause.
Barbara Walker |
Watertown, TN
On Saturday, September 15, 2007 a Walk for Peace was held in Watertown,
Tn. We had twenty walkers, including two dogs and two children. We
met in the town square at 10:00 and walked at 11:00. We created our
own signs and t-shirts. This was as grass roots as it gets. We walked
down Depot street to Hwy 70 then back to Main Street and down to the Post
Office and then back to the square. We all had a good time and
felt that we make a lot more people aware of HR808.
San Antonio, TX
The Walk was a great success. About 25 people showed up. We had the walk
in San Pedro Park and even got one of the major news stations to cover the
walk. the main organizing group consisted of Cindy Hartzell, Thomas McCoy,
Mitsue McCoy, a girl named Carly, another girl named Emily, and many more.
THe artists that donated their time and that participated were Micheal O'Neal,
Micheal Clancy, Tony Sawyer, Stan Halaby, Sean Palen Mitsue McCoy, Fred Polanco,
Carl Brewer, and Roy Blackmoon. The 2 mile walk was followed by live music
celebrating peace and people were invited to picnic with us. Many people
gave positive feedback even though they were unable to attend. Overall it
went well.
| Seattle, WA |
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Austin, TX
Austin made the news with their walk, complete with a good video on the local Fox news station. We can't grab it for you, so watch it here . Read an article about the walk in The Daily Texan, "Group's first Austin march urges peace."
Morristown, NJ
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Seventeen
enthusiastic walkers participated in our Department of Peace Walkathon
in Morristown, NJ in spite of the threatening rain. We walked
three miles around the center of town, giving out DoP brochures
and talking briefly with people.
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Gathering
for a group picture after the Walk.
~Photos and Report from Tricia Idrobo
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