September 21st was the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, and Philadelphia is one of many cities that held multi-day events in commemoration.
“We had an event in connection with the councilwoman’s office and the police where over 100 students got together, police got together, and we marched on the street for greater peace on the streets,” says Lisa Parker, founder of Peace Day Philly.
Peace Day Philly is largely responsible for organizing events that happen all over the city, but the effort mainly comes from the individual and the communities. Free activities and events include meditation, guest speakers, marches, community gatherings, and more. These happenings all exist to achieve one goal – unity.
This year’s theme is cultivating a culture of peace, which can be described as not just the absence of conflict but discussing and solving it through understanding and cooperation.
Manisha Patel, a local peace activist, says “We are all one in the end, and there is so much need for unity. With unity, we can do so much more.”
Philadelphia is no stranger to conflict. However, on a day celebrating peace, we can only hope and work toward a world that represents it.
For information about future events, visit peacedayphilly.org/events.
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