Walkers gather in the name of peace,
encircle the peace pole,
which is meant for the lawn of the White House.
Arizona Daily Sun
Flagstaff, Arizona
Wednesday, May 24, 1995
[photo of the Rainbow Family White House Peace Pole,
not shown here, credited to:]
A. M. Polvere/Arizona Daily Sun
[captioned:]
The peace pole is a symbol of the Global Peace Walk. From left
are Felipe Chavez, David Williams, and the Reverend Yusen Yamato,
who will lead the Peace Pole ceremony Friday in Wheeler Park.
[article:]
Walkers gather in name of peace
by Keli Maurer
Sun Staff Reporter
Global peace advocates who began walking in New York City in
January have reached Flagstaff, commemorating the 50th
anniversaries of the founding of the United Nations and the
bombing of Hiroshima.
Before the couple dozen participants of Global Peace Walk '95
continue on to San Francisco for a trek totaling about 3,600 miles,
walkers will participate in a peace pole ceremony, a benefit concert,
a potluck and an educational circus, events that are all open to the
general public. The walkers will be in town until May 30.
Global Peace Walk '95 is a spiritual unity walk carrying messages
from scientific, religious and spiritual leaders around the world
for global peace.
Rev. Yusen Yamato, a Zen Buddhist and initiator of the walk,
said the spiritual message of the group is peace must be
achieved now, and humans must have a global consciousness.
We all come from the same land, and must work together
to get back to a simple way of life, he said Tuesday.
Yamato said he believes certain types of technology carry
unintended consequences and are detrimental to society.
Felipe Chavez, a spokesman from Tucson and coordinator
of the walk, said he believes the walk is for future generations.
The group has an umbrella of concerns, like striving to stop
uranium mining and nuclear power. The group advocates
cooperation of the human race.
"We are all like flowers...we are all supposed to be
the color that we are," Chavez said.
Walkers began their trek from the front gates of the United Nations
January 15, Martin Luther King's birthday, and are scheduled to
arrive in San Francisco June 26 for the United Nations' 50th
anniversary celebration of "Global Peace Now!" A delegation
of walkers is scheduled to fly to Japan Aug. 6 for the 50-year
anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.
On Friday, walkers will participate in a peace pole ceremony
at noon in Wheeler Park. Walkers will meet the general public
in front of City Hall for the Global Unity Faith Spirituality
Peace Pole Ceremony. Those who wish to join the walk from
Flagstaff to San Francisco should meet at Wheeler Park to
encircle the peace pole, which is meant for the lawn of the White House.
David Williams, a coordinator of the walk, said although White House
officials have not responded to the request to have the peace pole
on the lawn, future walkers will keep the goal in mind.
A benefit concert is scheduled for May 27 at 9 p.m. at The Monsoons,
22 E. Santa Fe Ave. The Otis Campbell Band will play. Proceeds
from the concert will go to the walkers to help pay for gas,
food and whatever else the travelers may need, Williams said.
A potluck dinner and entertainment by the Mother Earth's
Healing Circus and Time for Change will be held at 6 p.m.
May 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 224 S. Kendrick St.
Inesis Vitos, an organizer and musician of the Mother Earth's
Healing Circus, said the circus will include magic, storytellings,
music and juggling.
See also related Flagstaff, AZ, Mayoral Proclamation, Global Peace as an idea whose time has come