INVITATION:
PORTLAND 'PEACE WALK' TO BE HELD OCTOBER 7TH
On October 7th, you are invited to join citizens, politicians, and dignitaries from around the state, who will gather in Portland, Oregon for a "Peace Walk" to be held at The Portland Peace Memorial Park (http://www.dunckleystreet.com/vfpchapter72/peace-park/) NE Interstate Blvd. & Oregon Street, (East end of the Steel Bridge, 1 block south from Rose Quarter Transit Center).
Starting at 3pm, we will have speakers address the participants prior to the walk. After that, we will begin a slow, deliberate walk from the park, across the Steel Bridge, down to the waterfront over to the Hawthorne Bridge and then back to the park along the southeast promenade (all wheelchair accessible). Participants will be encouraged to use this walk to reflect inward on how they may "become the peace they wish to see in the world". We would like this to be an event that unifies the community regardless of social, political, or religious ideology. Those who participate in the walk are welcome to wear t-shirts, or carry a banner or sign identifying their organization. However, there are to be no protest signs or demonstrations of any kind. The walk is also intended to increase public awareness of the deep need for increased efforts in violence reduction and prevention, and specifically to educate people on HR 808, current legislation in the House of Representatives to create a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence.
Parking is very limited, so you are encouraged to carpool, walk, bike or use the MAX.
"Millions of lives are lost or permanently affected by violence in this country alone," said Peace Alliance Executive Director Dot Maver, noting that, according to the FBI Crime Statistics Report, there were nearly 1.4 million violent crimes reported in the United States in 2005. "This number doesn't include unreported crimes," Maver continued. "It's a sobering reminder that violence has become a leading public health issue that costs us billions of dollars every year." Maver added that a 2004 World Health Organization report found that the United States spends between $300 billion and $500 billion per year on the after-effects of violence, not including war-related costs. "We have to get serious about reducing and preventing violence," Maver said. "We can't afford not to."
Please visit www.thepeacealliance.org for more information on the legislation and the grassroots campaign.
Donations for this event are encouraged. However no one will be turned away!
Please respond to: Ken Bryan, kendbryan@yahoo.com, 503-849-4115
