Peace Day celebrated around region
For a brief moment, they imagined a world without war.
Eyes closed as they stood in a circle and listened to flute music, about 20 people prayed for peace during a short ceremony Wednesday at Riverfront Park.
“Let’s send out our wishes and our hope for peace to grace the world,” said Kateri Caron of the Interfaith Council, an organization that promotes interfaith education and understanding.
Their noon gathering in the Lilac Bowl was Spokane’s way of celebrating International Peace Day, an annual observance seeking a global cease-fire and nonviolence. Established by the United Nations in 1981, International Peace Day was celebrated throughout the world with vigils, concerts, tree plantings and other events.
In Coeur d’Alene, people planned to observe Peace Day Wednesday evening with music and speeches in the City Park bandshell followed by a candlelight vigil. In honor of the day, members of a new organization called Peace Coeur d’Alene along with members of North Idaho College’s Students for Progressive Change have collected signatures on an “Appeal for Peace,” which asks President Bush to issue a proclamation in support of International Peace Day and honor the call for a 24-hour global cease-fire.
“The path of peace is a courageous one,” wrote Mark Cochran, one of the founders of Peace Coeur d’Alene. “We want to help create a culture of peace and instill in people the understanding that peace is one of our most important values and is a vital national interest.”
During the 15-minute gathering in Riverfront Park’s Lilac Bowl, participants reflected on the victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the people – both civilians and soldiers – displaced by disaster and war.
“We want peace because of you,” former Spokane Mayor Sheri Barnard said as she greeted 2-year-old Oscar Eagle, who attended with his grandmother, Jody Dunn of Spokane.
Reiterating Caron’s words from her presentation at Monday’s City Council meeting, Council President Dennis Hession told the group that the focus shouldn’t be only on world peace, but “about how we go about our daily lives and how we treat each other.”
After Hession read the mayoral proclamation and a brief discussion about the day-to-day things they could do to promote peace in their homes and workplaces, those gathered watched in silence as 25 doves were released into the air. The birds flew over the Spokane River and headed south to their home between Cheney and Spangle. They’re among the 60 doves that fly regularly for a dove release service called Peaceful Messenger.
Wednesday’s Peace Day celebration also marked the Interfaith Council’s second birthday. Founded on International Peace Day in 2003, the council’s goal is to “be a living model of people from diverse faith groups working together for the peace and well-being of our northwest region.” More than 200 people also attended the council’s peace vigil and dinner Tuesday night at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
“I’m committed to peace,” said Dunn, who carried her grandson in her arms. “It’s about the children. They’re the reason why we need to work for peace in our country and world.”