September 21, 2024 @ 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm EDT
Presentations and Song: Maine Peace Education Initiative
The new Maine Peace Education Initiative has been created with the goal of teaching Mainers about the human and environmental costs of war and how future wars can be prevented. Members are being encouraged to enroll in Ending War 101 and to then use it as a resource for their peace education planning. Lists of pro-peace anti-war books, other resources, and offers of help have been sent to the Maine Municipal Association for sharing with all town/city leaders, as well as to the directors of 245 Maine public libraries, 57 Maine high school librarians, and the directors of 24 Maine college or university libraries.
The kickoff for this effort will be on September 21, the UN International Day of Peace, with a number of events scheduled that afternoon at the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine. Please join us!
The Common Ground Country Fair - Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (mofga.org)
Saturday, September 21, is the UN International Day of Peace and the Beginning of a Statewide Education Initiative on Building Peace and Preventing War
1:30-2:30 p.m. Pihcintu Multinational Girls Chorus (In the Amphitheater)
An uplifting presentation of songs of hope from a talented choir of young Maine women who have experienced the horrors of war in various besieged areas of the world.
3:00-5:30 p.m. Presentations by these Maine Peace Organizations (In the Social and Political Action Speakers Tent)
3:00 – 4:00 Americans Who Tell the Truth and Veterans for Peace Maine
Rob Shetterly, peace activist and painter of Americans Who Tell the Truth portraits, will unveil his new portrait of Doug Rawlings, Maine founder of Veterans for Peace (VFP). Doug will reflect on the draft, his military service and how VFP has expanded worldwide.
4:00 – 4:30 Pace é Bene/Campaign Nonviolence
Rivera Sun, activist and author, will talk about Campaign Nonviolence and the long-term movement to build a culture of peace and active nonviolence. She will share how arts, creativity, and literature can empower deep change.
4:30 – 5:00 Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine
Josh Kauppila, activist and organizer, will highlight the experience of 25 unhoused community members in Bangor and encourage people to learn about the impact of excessive military spending on addressing local social welfare needs.
5:00 – 5:30 World BEYOND War
Martha Morrison, a participant in WBW’s initial international Alumni Education Series, will encourage fairgoers to learn how to build peace and avoid war from the area.
Source (with links to organization’s websites): Presentations and Song: Maine Peace Education Initiative - World BEYOND War Events Calendar
In addition Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights & the Maine Coalition For Palestine will be tabling inside the Political & Social Action tent at the Fair (Friday, September 20 - Sunday, September 22). Stop on by for conversation & to join our movement.