Olvera Street, Downtown Los Angeles
What do you do for Peace in Los Angeles and the World? Come share with us and have fun too as we recapture and recreate the idealism of the Sixties. The altruistic spirit, the music, the art, the sharing of food, the caring for people of all colors and creeds throughout the world. Much of this strikes a meaningful chord today as many young people are seeking sixties icons as answers, things to believe in. Let's give them the best of the Sixties with an authentic Peace-In.
Our culture has grown into a lot of nostalgia about the Sixties; it is an ideal time to re-create the moment both educationally and emotionally, taking the purest ideals and demonstrating that they are as needed today. It is unfortunately common to hear the young glorifying the sex and the drugs they hear about without connecting to the true motivations behind the movement toward peace.
Opening Invocation
In the spirit of acceptance of all creeds, etc. we will have representatives from all religions who will add their voices, their congregations, and their prayers with the spirit of tolerance, which is the foundation of peace. Gathering at 9 AM, we will coordinate an invocation for world peace with which to open the event.
The Peace Wall
This will be a wall with photos and stories of both people of Peace from the past and today; people who have performed a service of significance toward our leading better lives. One example would be police or fire fighters who died while in service for our safety. This could become an ongoing project for children in schools, fostering continuing awareness as they collect clippings for next year's Peace Wall.
The Children's Demonstration
An opportunity for children to learn about constructive, positive ways of expressing an opinion, as well as a chance for them to express their own. Limited to children under 18, we will encourage them to make placards expressing their appreciation and thankfulness for things they appreciate as well as changes they would like to see in the world. This would teach involvement and bravery in presenting thoughts and feelings to the community.
Schools are encouraged to coordinate with projects and are strongly encouraged to visit or pass the word to families about the occasion. As the event will be covered by the news media and on the Internet, it will make the call for peace even stronger with our children declaring their thoughts and concerns with their own placard messages, such as "Save the Rain Forest" or "Make our Streets Safe for our Brothers and Sisters to Play." It will be a wonderful photo opportunity for the media and a heartwarming experience for participants and observers alike, something we certainly need more of at all levels. Imagine what a question like "What do you want to tell the world?" will generate in creative, declarative responses.
Non-Profit Booths
Groups who do service to the community and the world for the cause of peace in its various forms will be invited to reach out to and educate the community about their purposes, as examples of practical love in action. These groups would be encouraged to present their goals simply, for children and adults to grow in awareness. Booths will be offered to groups and organizations who give service to the community in ways that nurture, whether by feeding people, offering health services, offering any kind of spiritual guidance, neighborhood watch, Police, Fire Department, "Say no to drugs" groups, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, etc. We hope that cost will not prohibit groups from participating. Some of our most valuable community organizations have very little money.
Ongoing Music
The air will be filled with hope, as we feature performers doing the best traditional and modern altruistic music from Blowin' In The Wind, Teach Your Children Well, and Amazing Grace, to more current songs of peace.
The LA Mounted Police have confirmed their plans to put in an appearance in true San Francisco style and have the kids decorate them with flowers. We also expect dancers and other artists, all in vintage styles.
In short, we will give birth to a comprehensive, positive, humanity-supporting and earth-supporting declaration. Profit as a motive is gently discouraged.
More Thoughts and Plans
We're wide open to suggestions!
The Sixties was the beginning of appreciation for Native American beliefs and rights, so the Azteca dancing groups will display dance rituals for the Mother Earth. Perhaps some of the local art schools might have some students or instructors who would like to do a demonstration of body painting or canvas-rolling. (Not a high level of art perhaps, but fun and authentic.) Kids will make their own "love beads" with beads donated by local shops, or sponsored by local businesses. Imagine our City's children wearing beads that spell PEACE IN LOS ANGELES 1997!
We have contacts with many musicians and performers who are getting involved and understand the nature of the positive direction, to add to the moment. There are a number of special guests expected, and others who plan to come next year. Everyone we've spoken to has been thrilled to participate, and posters and flyers are being distributed: PEACE-IN Los Angeles and the World, an annual event to be held January 23rd and January 25th.
If you are interested in participating in this year's OR next year's Peace-In, or for more information, send email to the Peace-In, care of The New House.
In Peace In Los Angeles,
Sincerely,
Kalan Brunink
Event Coordinator
The New House