Palm Sunday Peace Walk
(Pastor Ben Wideman)
A "peace walk" is a form of nonviolent action where a person or groups of people march a set distance to raise awareness of particular issues important to the walkers. Peace walks take place all around the world at difference times and for different reasons. On a beautiful day in Happy Valley, the second Palm Sunday Peace Walk took place. This and the first peace walk was brought together by Pastor Ben Wideman (3rd Way Collective) and other members from various religious communities in the area.
(Pastor Mark Van Steenwyk)
Just like last year, but with warmer weather, over 100 people gathered together to walk in the name of peace carrying palms and other signs of love and togetherness. After gathering together at a local church to sign songs of peace, we were welcomed and encouraged by our guest speaker, Mark Van Steenwyk. Pastor Steenwyk is the author of several books on Christianity, a blogger and activist. He is also the Executive Director at the Center for Prophetic Imagination and Co-founder at the Mennonite Worker. Check our his blog here.
During our walk, we stopped at five locations to bring awareness of issues in our community, hear speakers address these issues, and then pray as a group for them.
"The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation. Our previous system emphasized the physical and other differences of South Africans with devastating effects. We are steadily but surely introducing education that enables our children to exploit their similiarities and common goals, while appreciating the strength in their diversity. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela
(One of the teacher addressing education)
Our first stop addressed the issues of education in our area. The two speakers, teachers from an alternative public school, spoke on the new issues facing education since President Trump was elected. They touched on decreasing funding, after school programs, prioritizing education, alternative education, and the deconstruction of the union.
Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels inevitability. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is not time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(Penn State student, Brianna, speaking on civil rights)
Our second stop addressed equality and civil rights. This speaker, a student of Penn State University, shared with us her work with these issues.( I am hoping to get a chance to interview her for a future blog). She discussed her passion for justice, mentoring students of color and supporting the NAACP in its efforts of equality.
"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees." - Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation.
(Speaker from Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, Cricket Hunter)
Our third stop addressed the environment. The speaker works with an interfaith organization, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light. For more information, click here. She spoke of the work they do to protect the planet we live on and the ways we can become involved.
"The genius of the current caste system, and what most distinguishes it from its predecessors, is that it appears voluntary. People choose to commit crimes, and that's why they are locked up or locked out, we are told. This feature makes the politics of responsibility particularly tempting, as it appears the system can be avoided with good behavior. But herein lies the trap. All people make mistakes. All of us are sinners. All of us are criminals. All of us violate the law at some point in our lives. In fact, if the worst thing you have ever done is speed ten miles over the speed limit on the freeway, you have put yourself and others at more risk of harm than someone smoking marijuana in the privacy of his or her living room. Yet there are people in the United states serving life sentences for first-time drug offenses, something virtually unheard of anywhere else in the world." - Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow
(Chaplan from the women's prison)
Our fourth stop addressed our prison system. The two speakers, one a state representative and the other a chaplan from a women's prison. They both spoke on the drug issues in our area, and how they are affecting not only the individual, but their families as well. Although we have the lowest prison population in our area, it is still a major issue that affects us all.
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, who flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand
glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp! cried she
With silent lips. Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
- American poet, Emma Lazarus
(Speaker on immigration)
Our fifth stop addressed the immigration. Before the speaker came forth, we had a community member share his story of a family who came to our area fifteen years ago and their growth. He shared how they went from being unable to speak any English to learning, sending their children to school, becoming involved in communities, and thriving. Our speaker told us how we could reach out, educate ourselves, and respond positively to the growing immigrant population in our community. She also spoke on how the university is helping to welcome international students and the great things that are happening with that effort.
After our walk, those who could attend, continued down the street to another church where we sat down to talk about the issues during the peace walk and how we could get involved while sharing a meal of donated soups and breads.
Most of the participants in this walk were friends, members of the same church, families, and students. although we were from different classes, ethnic backgrounds, and faiths, our hearts were joined as one in the effort to bring peace to our community. (More pictures are below)
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, please like and share. Remember to subscribe to receive biweekly post on social issues and influential women.
Until next time, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with you!
