PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia is beginning a week of events and observances leading up to the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, a record homicide rate in Philadelphia and political vitriol dominating the airwaves, it’s imperative that the world creates more unanimity, said Peace Day Philly organizer Lisa Parker.
“Now more than ever, we need to focus on peace,” she said.
Local events over the next week include the screening of a documentary about a Kensington activist, free Eagles footballs at a “Footballs not Firearms” march with police, as well as meditation sessions, panel discussions and concerts.
The activities culminate with a City Hall ceremony on Peace Day, Sept. 21, which will feature a worldwide minute of reflection at noon.
“A minute is actually a pretty good amount of time to reflect on peace,” said Parker, who has organized Peace Day Philly activities for the last 12 years. “It’s hoped that through that and any actions that you may take on Peace Day that that’ll make a difference and contribute to a more peaceful world.”
The United Nations declared this year’s Peace Day theme as “End racism. Build peace.”
“This year’s theme is critical to securing peace in our communities. Racism is one of the world’s greatest scourges and it must end,” said Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement. “In Philadelphia, as a proud welcoming city, we stand with our impacted communities and condemn all expressions of racist hate and violence, which have no place here and should not be anywhere in our nation or world. I encourage all Philadelphians to learn more about Peace Day Philly and how they can get involved in this international event that promotes and sustains peace in our communities.”
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“One way we’re being mindful of the violence in our city right now is we’re going to do a march and a rally with youth and police officers,” Parker added. “The idea is to get some interaction between the youth and the police, and getting them to have a more positive relationship. So that when something negative does happen, when the police do have to come into the community, the police have a better view of the youth and the youth have a better view of police.”
Parker admitted that if it’s only one day, Peace Day isn’t that meaningful. It should be a jumping-off point, she said, for individuals to think about how they can bring peace to others.
“If we look at it as an opening, as a time that we can as individuals focus more on being peaceful within ourselves, within our communities, within our city, then that lasts far beyond Peace Day.”