By the Gazette-Times | Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2006 12:00 am
As part of the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations, people are invited to come together at 5 p.m. Thursday for the Corvallis Community Celebration of the International Day of Peace at the Benton County Courthouse, 120 N.W. Fourth St.
In 1981, the United Nations set aside Sept. 21 as an annual international day of peace. This year, Secretary-General Kofi Annan is again calling for worldwide observance of a 24-hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence.
Local event organizer LoErna Simpson said this year's event is particularly relevant, given the country's current engagement in Iraq.
Corvallis Mayor Helen Berg has issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 21 the International Day of Peace in Corvallis. Events Thursday begin at the Benton County Courthouse with construction of Pinwheels for Peace, peace jewelry and a banner with peace quotes.
Activities will include a reading of the mayor's proclamation, local musicians, community singing, speakers and poetry reading. Simultaneous gatherings will occur all over the world that day.
The Day of Peace celebration in Corvallis follows several months of fasting for peace by local residents, including Leah Bolger, a community organizer who is now participating in Camp Democracy on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The camp was organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War, CODE PINK, Veterans For Peace and many other organizations.
Corvallis residents will continue their fast, which began July 4, until the International Day of Peace, and will continue to maintain an information table on the northeast corner of the Benton County Courthouse grounds every day from noon to 6 p.m.
In preparation for the Corvallis Community Celebration, children and adults are invited to participate ahead of time by making Pinwheels for Peace to bring to the Courthouse lawn.
The Corvallis event is sponsored by following local groups: Active for Peace and Justice Group of First United Methodist Church, Social Justice Commission of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Just Peace Group of the United Church of Christ, Social Justice Action Group of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Alternatives to War, Albany Peace Seekers, Veterans for Peace - Corvallis Branch, Linn-Benton Department of Peace Group, OSU Faculty and Staff for Peace and Justice and Women in Black Corvallis/Albany.
For pinwheel directions, printed paper materials and pencils for mounting the pinwheels, contact LoErna Simpson at 753-7431.