By Nicola Roxburgh

The first step towards establishing a Miami Department of Peace Campaign took place on Tuesday August 13, 2008. Irene Martinez, Nicola Roxburgh and Ana Campos hosted a congressional team meeting at a local venue at The Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami. Students from Miami Dade College and a local high school assisted in brainstorming for the upcoming "Walk for Peace" event to be held in South Miami Beach.

 

The Miami Department of Peace Campaign group will begin hosting meetings on the second Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be on September 9th; where the final arrangements of the Walk for Peace will be discussed. This date will serve as a preparation session where we will assemble necessary documents in order to inform the public of the current bill in Congress.

 

Local students are planning to attend and assist in making bright and inspiring posters to carry during the Walk for Peace. The walk will take place on Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive in South Beach. We are anticipating the walk will attract people with a strong passion to unite diverse communities and ultimately spread Peace throughout our city.

 

Participants expressed interest in beginning a Student Peace Alliance which will involve other teenagers from neighboring communities. They also proposed communicating with the local universities drama department to organize a "Gift of Peace" play to educate the community.

 

Possible actions for future community events were also discussed. The meeting was productive and motivating to all who attended.