By World BEYOND War, September 23, 2024
World BEYOND War and friends marked the International Day of Peace in Maine. Below is the schedule of events, followed by a report from ABC Channel 8 WMTW.
Today, Saturday, September 21, is the UN International Day of Peace
and the
Beginning of a Statewide Education Initiative on Building Peace and Preventing War
1:30-2:30 p.m. Pihcintu Multinational Girls Chorus
(In the Amphitheater)
A multinational immigrant and refugee girl’s chorus that works with several branches of the United Nations to promote peace.
3:00-5:30 p.m. Presentations by these Maine Peace Organizations
(In the Social and Political Action Speakers Tent)
3:00 – 4:00 Americans Who Tell the Truth and Veterans for Peace Maine
Rob Shetterly, peace activist and painter of Americans Who Tell the Truth portraits, will unveil his new portrait of Doug Rawlings, Maine founder of Veterans for Peace (VFP). Doug will reflect on the draft, his military service and how VFP has expanded worldwide.
4:00 – 4:30 Pace é Bene/Campaign Nonviolence
Rivera Sun, activist and author, will talk about Campaign Nonviolence and the long-term movement to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence. She will share how arts, creativity, and literature can empower deep change.
4:30 – 5:00 Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine
Josh Kauppila, activist and organizer, will highlight the experience of 25 unhoused community members in Bangor and encourage people to learn about the impact of excessive military spending on addressing local social welfare needs.
5:00 – 5:30 World BEYOND War
Martha Morrison, a participant in WBW’s initial international Alumni Education Series, will encourage fairgoers to learn how to build peace and avoid war from the area
Maine peace groups highlight costs of war at Common Ground Fair
At the Common Ground Country Fair, Maine Peace Education launched a new initiative, hosting presentations that focused on peace and justice.
UNITY, Maine — Several Maine-based organizations used the United Nations International Day of Peace on Saturday to highlight the human and environmental costs of war and explore strategies to prevent future conflicts.
At the Common Ground Country Fair, Maine Peace Education launched a new initiative, hosting presentations that focused on peace and justice.
“We’re all human beings, and this involves saving the world for young people like those walking by,” said Doug Rawlings, president of the Maine chapter of Veterans for Peace. “We need to talk about peace. It’s not something we can assume people naturally understand.”
Groups such as Peace Action Maine, Veterans for Peace, and World Beyond War joined the event, encouraging attendees to reflect on peacebuilding and justice efforts.
The fair, an annual event in Unity, attracts thousands of visitors each year with its focus on sustainable living, organic farming, and social justice.
