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