Day of Peace to be celebrated with events on St. Thomas and St. Croix
Published: September 17, 2012
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The territory will be joining the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, with activities scheduled for that weekend on both St. Croix and St. Thomas.
A group of St. Croix residents have organized the fourth annual All Ah We Peace and a Picnic event, scheduled for the evening of Sept. 21 at The Pickled Greek, along with a March for Peace through the rainforest on Sept. 22.
On St. Thomas, the Alternative to Violence Project will be working with students at Edith Williams Alternative School in mini workshops through the week before International Peace Day, according to a prepared statement about the activities. On Sept. 22, the community is invited to participate in a "Global Mala Yoga for Peace" event at Magens Bay.
"I still feel we have to raise awareness for peace in the community, to counteract unkind acts," said Heike Nilgen, one of the organizers of the St. Croix events.
The International Day of Peace, also called World Peace Day, was established by a 1981 United Nations resolution and now occurs annually on Sept. 21. It is recognized around the world.
The Peace and a Picnic event is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 21 at The Pickled Greek in Christiansted. The "picnic" part is a potluck, and those attending are encouraged to bring their own food and beverage for a potluck that will be set up outside the restaurant, Nilgen said.
Those who want to can purchase food and beverages at the Pickled Greek, but it's not necessary, she said.
"It's free fun for the whole family," she said. "No one is obligated to buy anything at The Greek. Everyone can bring their own food and drinks."
Planned activities at the picnic will include live music from Fyah Train and Unit Band, drumming, poetry, open microphone and a "peace wall" on which people can write down their thoughts about peace, she said.
A raffle drawing, with a scooter as the first prize and a number of other prizes, including an acupuncture package, massages, and belly-dancing classes, also will take place, she said.
Only 200 raffle tickets were sold, at $20 apiece, to fund the activity.
On Sept. 22, the March for Peace through the rainforest is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. at the Domino Club, where breakfast will be available for purchase starting at 6 a.m.
Marchers need to provide their own water and snacks for the walk.
On St. Thomas, the Alternative to Violence Project will be working with students at Edith Williams, said Carmen Hamilton, a project facilitator.
"They are doing some self-awareness activities, some peace activities, some writing," Hamilton said.
On Sept. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Magens Bay, anyone can join in on a "Global Mala for Peace," which is being done around the world by yoga enthusiasts.
Local participants will be doing 108 sun salutations and 108 recitations of the Gayatri Mantra, led by local yoga teachers, according to prepared information about the event.
- Contact Joy Blackburn at 714-9145 or email jblackburn @dailynews.vi.
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