By JoAnn Gaines
CDTL CA-36
September 2008

Peace Proclamations are a powerful tool to help spread awareness about the International Day of Peace and the Global Ceasefire; and, for Dept of Peace Campaign Volunteers, a great way to work with local officials on a relatively easy peace initiative.

In past years, Heads of State, Governors and Mayors have declared Proclamations for the International Day of Peace, urging their citizens to observe and celebrate Peace Day. City Councils and State Legislatures have also declared Peace Day Resolutions. Past proclamations in California have included: Los Angeles (2003), San Francisco (2003), Santa Cruz, Marin County Board of Supervisors, Sacramento and Sacramento County (2006), California's Governor and Legislature (2006), and San Rafael (2006). 2007 Proclamations included the City Council of Ojai.

This year, California's districts 36 and 37 obtained four proclamations from local City Councils--Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Carson. The Proclamation Team included Rick Pruetz (HB), FAICP Planning & Implementation Strategies; Augustin Garnier (RB), social activist/musician; April Halprin Wayland (MB), author/peace activist; and Justin Bensan (Carson), President, Youth for Peace & Justice Club at Torrance High, and the L.A. area Organizer for the Student Peace Alliance (SPA).

The support team included two wonderful gentlemen from the South Coast Interfaith Council's Social Concerns Committee--Carl Farrington (Chair) and Bill Latto--as well as the Campaign's own Jane Domiano, Jo Ann Gaines and Tory Haslinger.

Also, Ojai's 2007 Proclamation was reissued to specifically note "Living Peace" as a major Ojai collaborative contribution. Credit for Ojai's Proclamations goes to Evan Austin, Director, Ojai Peace Coalition, and the Living Peace Team.

Next year, we'll put out an early reminder for those who would like to pursue a Peace Proclamation from their officials. Individuals, families, students/classes of students, local organizations … anyone can ask their officials to join other leaders in issuing a Proclamation.

In addition to benefits already noted, it presents an opportunity to have an event at which the Proclamation can be presented to the community. With the exception of Ojai, events were outside the cities who were asked to issue a Proclamation; but it's still a good opportunity to speak at the council meeting (which is also broadcast on cable TV) about Peace Day and how local residents can celebrate.

For more information, visit www.InternationalDayOfPeace.org where you can also find sample proclamations.

Photo one: Jane Domiano, April Halperin, JoAnn Gaines and Tory Haslinger with the Manhattan Beach Peace Day Proclamation.

Photo two: Hermosa Beach Mayor J.R. Reviczky presents Peace Day Proclamation to Rick Pruetz