WORLD PEACE MARCH
World Heritage Cultural Center is bringing the noise to the World Peace March across the Brooklyn Bridge with drummers, passion, and cultural diversity! Join us for a HISTORIC Event, the very first World Peace March on Earth. Please scroll down to the section of how you can endorse this march and how you can help.
The whole 99,000 ML route of the March is divided into 6 parts:
1. New Zealand -> India
2. India -> Moscow
3. Moscow -> Rome
4. Rome -> New York
5. New York -> San Josè (Costa Rica)
6. San Josè (Costa Rica) -> Punta de Vacas (Argentina)
Why?
Because we can end world hunger with 10% of what is spent on arms. Imagine how life would be if 30-50% of the arms budget went toward improving people’s lives instead of being used for destruction.
Because eliminating wars and violence means leaving human pre-history behind and taking a giant step forward in the evolution of our species.
Because in this aspiration we are accompanied by the strength of the voices of hundreds of prior generations who suffered the consequences of war, and whose echo continues to be heard today in all those places where it continues to leave its sinister trail of dead, disappeared, disabled, refugees and displaced.
Because a “world without wars” is an image that opens the future and seeks to become reality in every corner of the planet, as violence gives way to dialogue.
The moment has come for the voiceless to be heard! Out of agonizing and urgent need, millions of human beings are crying out for an end to wars and violence.
We can make that happen by uniting all the forces of pacifism and active non-violence worldwide.
When?
The World March will begin in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, declared the “International Day of Non-Violence” by the United Nations. It will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010.
The March will last 90 days, three long months of travel. It will pass through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia.
Who is participating?
The March was initiated by “World Without Wars,” - an international organization launched by the Humanist Movement - that has been working for 15 years in the fields of pacifism and non-violence.
The World March, however, will be created and shaped by everyone. Open to any person, organization, collective, group, political party, business, etc., that shares the same aspirations and sensibility, this project is not something closed. Instead, it is a journey that will be progressively enriched as different initiatives set their contributions in motion.
That is why this is an invitation to anyone and everyone to participate freely. So that wherever the March goes, the local people can contribute their creativity in a great convergence of multiple activities. There’s space for everything the imagination is capable of conceiving.
The possible channels of participation are multiple and diverse, including virtual participation in the March through Internet.
This is a march by and for the people, with hopes of reaching most of the world’s population. For this reason we are asking all media to spread the word about this journey around the world for Peace and Non-violence.
What is going to happen?
As it passes through cities there will be all kinds of forums, conferences and events (sporting, cultural, social, etc.) that will be organised according to the local initiatives that are emerging.
At this time hundreds of projects have already been set in motion by different individuals and organizations.
What are our goals and objectives?
To denounce the dangerous world situation that is leading us closer and closer to nuclear war, which would be the greatest catastrophe in human history – a dead end.
To give a voice to the majority of world citizens who want peace. Although the majority of the human race opposes the arms race, we are not sending out a unified signal. Instead we are letting ourselves be manipulated by a powerful minority and suffering the consequences. The time has come to stand together and show our opposition. Join a multitude of others in sending a clear signal, and your voice will have to be heard!
To achieve: the worldwide eradication of nuclear weapons; the immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories; the progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons; the signing of non-aggression treaties among nations and the renunciation by governments of war as a way to resolve conflicts.
To expose the many other forms of violence (economic, racial, sexual, religious…) that are currently hidden or disguised by their perpetrators; and to provide a way for all who suffer such violence to be heard.
To create global awareness - as has already happened with environmental issues - of the urgent need to condemn of all forms of violence and bring about real Peace.
" WHCC Endorses the World March for Peace and Nonviolence October 2nd, 2009 and January 2nd, 2010. Help us spread the word "
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE WORLD MARCH?
The March will consist of two parallel initiatives: 1) Between October 2nd, 2009 and January 2nd, 2010, an international team of marchers will cross the planet from New Zealand to Argentina, meeting with heads-of-state, talking to the media, and participating in large marches and rallies in cities on each continent – all the while bringing awareness to the March’s urgent proposals and gathering the stories and wishes of the people with whom they meet.
2) During this same 3-month period, as their journey progresses around the globe, thousands of nonprofit organizations, civic groups, religious congregations, students and university groups, and concerned individuals in towns and cities around the world will do their part by organizing local events that bring the message of the March to their immediate co! mmunities. These events will include local marches and peace walks, art exhibits, concerts, nonviolence workshops, film nights, theater and dance performances, community forums, murals, potluck dinners, sports events, and more. The goal is to produce a converging diversity of voices aimed at raising consciousness of peace and nonviolence and collectively building the path to get there.
It’s not too late to get involved and add your voice to the World March. Here’s how - note all this needs to be done on the worldmarchusa website and not on whcc's website:
1) Endorse the World March as an individual or organization by going to our website: www.worldmarchusa.net
2) Organize an event or action in your neighborhood, workplace, school, or community in support of the March between October 2nd and January! 2nd. We have set aside December 2nd as “World March USA Day” and are aiming to have hundreds of events organized across the country on that day.
3) If you already have an existing event scheduled during this 3-month period, consider designating it “In Support of the World March” and add it to our calendar of events. Your support can be shown by including info on the March in your program, by having a short presentation before or after the event, or by incorporating the themes of the march into the content of your event.
4) Volunteer with efforts to welcome and host the international team of marchers when they visit NY, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. November 30 – December 3. We need people to help with logistics, press, publicity, graphic design, fundraising, and outreach. (info@worldmarchusa.net).
5) Spread the Word! Talk about the march with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and fellow students, and refer them to our website:www.worldmarchusa.net.
Thanks for joining us in the largest mobilization for peace and disarmament in history!
Sincerely, WHCC's TEAM
