ACTIVITY AT THE SHERRILL GAZEBO LAST THURSDAY A group of area residents took the time to come together Thursday night to celebrate the concept of living in a peaceful nation. The event was organized by members of MOCFP to commemorate the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations in 1981. It was originally celebrated on the third Tuesday of September. But in 2001, Sept. 21 was established as the permanent date and the resolution was amended to allow for global ceasefire and non-violence. A moment of silence was observed and Marcia Newsom asked everyone to "visualize a world of peace and justice for all who share our beautiful planet." Music was provided by Colleen Katau, a singer, songwriter and peace activist from Cortland. "I wanted to celebrate International Peace Day," she said. "We need to generate peace especially in rural communities." Katau was joined in song by about 50 people in attendance as she sang about young men going to war and the importance of learning another language. "The best way to learn about another culture is to learn their language," she said. Oneida Mayor Leo Matzke read a proclamation saying the International Day of Peace should foster cooperation among individuals and organizations."Geese naturally know that they have to depend on each other for support," he said as a flock flew overhead. Matzke said people need to learn that kind of cooperation. Cynthia Banas, a peace activist from Vernon who was in Iraq before and during the U.S. invasion, said "we all come from the same religious faith because we are all human beings." Many different religions were represented at the celebration. A Jewish perspective was presented by Sandy Miley of Sherrill, Robert Mann, of Oneida presented the Buddhist perspective and the Rev. Virginia Anderson, of Syracuse, recited a prayer allegedly written by George Washington. "The Founding Fathers realized that there was potential in bringing together people from many different backgrounds," Anderson said. During his presentation of the Buddhist view of peace, Mann said it's human to seek happiness. "Happiness is found in compassionate service to others," he said. "Even a simple application of the Golden Rule can lead to that happiness." Miley said the formation of a Department of Peace that could support disarmament and focus on economic and political justice. She said that the Department of Peace could also deal with violence problems in the United States including spousal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. "The foundation for repair is peace," Miley said. "Without peace we cannot do the other things we need to do for one another." Many people attended the event to express their opposition to the war in Iraq. "We are grossly offended at the amount of money being spent on the war," said Sylvia Skinner-DeFrancisco, of Canastota. "We have so many poor and indigent people in our own country that need our attention and resources." Kathryn Newsom-Smith of Oneida, read a letter written by Ahmed Kobeisy, who is the director of the Islamic center of the Capital District in Albany and a professor at Le Moyne College. He wrote that the cost of the Iraq war is expected to reach $318.5 billion by Sept. 30, the end of the 2006 fiscal year. "In war everyone loses except the war machine producers and manufacturers," Kobeisy wrote. "In peace, everyone wins."
For more information on the movement to create a Department of Peace visit: www.thepeacealliance.org

Madison-Oneida Citizens for Peace
CONTACT: Marcia Newsom, 363-1385
15 September 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE" CELEBRATION
PLANNED THURSDAY BY MADISON-ONEIDA GROUP

Residents of Oneida, Sherrill, and surrounding communities are invited to participate in an ecumenical program at the Sherrill gazebo dedicated to peace and nonviolence. The candlelight event will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday 21 September.
The program will include songs by singer, songwriter and peace activist Colleen Kattau.
September 21st was designated an "International Day of Peace" in 1981 by a unanimous vote of the United Nations General Assembly and is being commemorated at more than 2,500 locations in 179 countries.
At the local event, a proclamation will be read by Mayor Leo Matzke of Oneida. A similar proclamation will be read by a representative of Mayor Joseph Shay of Sherrill, who will be traveling on the day of the event.
Speakers representing Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Moslem, and Protestant traditions have been invited to offer perspectives on peace.
Sandy Miley will outline a proposed law creating a Department of Peace in Washington to actively promote a better understanding the social, political, and religious institutions of other countries and to promote skills necessary for peaceful conflict resolution.
Cynthia Banas will share some of her experiences as a lifelong peace activist who has traveled to war-torn countries in the Middle East.
Spokesperson Marcia Newsom says Madison-Oneida Citizens for Peace, which holds monthly vigils at which the names of fallen American soldiers are read aloud, decided to put on the program in order to join with other groups around the world that are observing the International Day of Peace.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved across the road to St. Helena’s Church at 210 Primo Avenue.
More information about the International Day of Peace is available on the world wide web at
www.internationaldayofpeace.org