BPI Parade and Fair

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of your for your support and friendship over the last few months. Saturday’s parade and fair was a complete success. One hundred members of community organizations came out to walk the streets of Reading showing a unified effort to support non-violence. Over forty organizations participated in this community fair disseminating information and opening new pathways of communication in our county. Participants came from four surroundings counties to offer their support to this Initiative. We achieved our goals in setting precedence. Where else could you see Muslims banning together with Native Americans in a drum circle? Or Latin dancers sharing a space with Zen Buddhists? This was a time for all community non-violence groups to meet with global non-violence groups to send the message that violence is not the answer. Communication is the only positive way to resolve conflicts. This is what the Berks Peace Initiative is about. This is what we have achieved. This is a new beginning built upon the labor of all community members. At a close look, one can see that violence thrives on fear. We have taught tolerance and respect. Gangs flourish because they fulfill a need for a sense of belonging. We have offered better opportunities. Gangs also persist because they simply unify. If we want to have an impact on our children and our community, we must unite. The Berks Peace Initiative is an ongoing project. We will begin the web-directory and event calendar next week. The parade and fair photos and films clips will be on the web promptly. If anyone has any photos taken at our event, I would greatly appreciate if you would share them. Thank you. Furthermore, we have begun planning for next year’s event, for some time in May. If anyone would like to help in the planning and implementation of this event, please contact me. Again, thank you everyone. You have all truly touched my heart.