Peace Walkers - Peaceful Voices of Dissent
an article by Joanne Tawfilis

I recently became involved in a series of programs and tributes to Arun Gandhi, the fifth grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Although he and his wife Sunanda have followed the principles of his grandfather, and very humbly so, I believe he has become an example of a peace builder based on his lifetime of activism. Through their examples, and through sharing the philosophy, teachings, and practices of Mahatma Gandhi, I feel their impact has made a huge difference on people of all ages.

At the age of 72, Arun Gandhi continues to travel, speak, and participate in many peace projects and programs. He is a quiet man, but mighty, and more importantly, an inspiration to people everywhere.

On October 28, 2006, Arun Gandhi will lead a PEACE PARADE in Hollywood, California. He will be followed by peace-loving people from a city that some think may be unconscious of the world around them, but in that City of Angels reside low, middle, and high income levels of society, with every possible ethnic, religious, and dream catching type of person one could imagine. On that day, along with many celebrities, citizens of every age will "walk" led by Arun Gandhi as the Hollywood Peace Walkers, with their peaceful voices of dissent-voices that will be silent and contemplative. They will walk from Hollywood and Vine to the CNN building and beyond, carrying Peace, Unity, and Healing Murals and wearing Art Miles Shoes.

This walk will be the first in a series, and is part of a movement mobilized by an LA Radio progressive talk show host (http://www.goharrison.com) and an all volunteer team of activists who believe that Peace Begins with Me. And we can thank Arun Gandhi for not only carrying on the work of his grandfather, but for his own investment and belief that "you must be the change you want to see in the world."

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?


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GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE

Latest reader comment:

perhaps the question should be where can we find a good environment for leadership to emerge? Thanks for reporting on the meeting in Havana. It seems that Cuba provided the infrastructure for leaders to meet productively, e.g. the leaders of India and Pakistan.

This report was posted on October 18, 2006. The moderator is Carrie Gillespie.

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