Peace Walks
an article by Ravi Shah and Katherine Kubichan

On October 28, 2006, the San Diego Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA helped launch a global movement for non-violence through the Parade for Peace in Hollywood, California. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, led the first peace walk by a Gandhi in more than 60 years. See previous CPNN report, Peace Walkers - Peaceful Voices of Dissent. The San Diego Chapter co-produced the parade with the Art Miles Project and the Unity Foundation; it was executively produced by Harrison on the Edge from Progressive AM Radio in Los Angeles.

The parade, which took place in the heart of Hollywood, was full of creative juices. The Parade for Peace featured celebrities Darryl Hannah, David Arquette and LeVar Burton and volunteers and staff from various local organizations, including UNA San Diego and the Art Miles Mural Project. Many of the participating celebrities wore canvas “peace shoes” painted by chapter staff and members. The shoes will be auctioned off [TBD] to support the needs of HIV/AIDS-impacted orphans and disarmed child soldiers in Africa. The parade was an opportunity for Art Miles Mural Project to display 10 murals hand-painted by children and adults from around the world. The murals depicted renowned leaders of non-violence and peace such as Mahatmas Gandhi, Jane Goodall, and Desmond Tutu.

To commemorate the first walk for peace by a Gandhi in 60 years, his first step was made into a cast mold. The peace parade is just one of many parades planned for 2007 taking place around the world – Canada, Egypt, Austria, Italy, Japan, and San Diego, California – led by religious and political leaders, celebrities, and members of the community to promote world peace and global unity.

After the parade, parade participants and the general public joined UNA San Diego, the Art Miles Mural Project, and KTLK AM1150's "Harrison on the Edge" for a ‘Celebration of World Peace and Global Unity’ at Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall in West Hollywood. Highlighting the event was Arun Gandhi and his discussion about peace, non-violent protest, and teachings from his grandfather, Mahatmas Gandhi.

The Peace Walk, led by a Gandhi for the first time in 60 years, was a momentous occasion for the community to come together to advocate peace around the world and to remember the lessons and examples of Mahatmas Gandhi,” said Katharine Kubichan, president of the San Diego Chapter, about the event.

For more information regarding future Peace Walks, UNA San Diego or Art Miles Mural Project, please contact una@unasd.org.

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