Drink Up!!
Posted on 07/10/2002 4:28:20 PM PDT by jdogbearhunter
Group imagines a world without hatred
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
People gather at "Peace Together," a celebration of humanity, diversity and hope Tuesday at the Peace Plaza. (Elizabeth Nida/Post-Bulletin)
By Nicole Garrison
The Post-Bulletin
Members of a local discussion group have taken a page from John Lennon's song book: They imagine people of all religions, colors and creeds living together in peace.
You may say they are dreamers, but Monday they proved they are not the only ones.
More than 30 people joined members of the "Hope from the World's Ashes" discussion group at the Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester at noon to celebrate humanity, diversity and a hope for peace.
"We are from all different ages and backgrounds and ethnicities," said Rana Mikati, a member of the discussion group. "We are trying to get everyone to know about each other. When you know something, then you don't fear it."
The group has been meeting at Assisi Heights since Sept. 11. It is open to anyone who wishes to participate.
The noontime celebration featured music from several different cultures and poetry readings from the New York Times bestseller "Journey Through Heartsongs," by 11-year-old Mattie Stephanek. People also participated in a dance for peace, made paper peace cranes and helped create a mural.
Many of those who came to the event, including Mary Hung, an English as a Second Language teacher for Rochester public schools, said they made a point of attending.
"I teach English for speakers of other languages, so this is sort of my life's vocation," she said.
Others said they were passing through when the celebration caught their attention.
"I had to see what was going on here," said Hafaz Khalaf, a Sudanese journalist who moved to Rochester with his family a few years ago. "I feel like we have to come together to make peace; this kind of activity makes people come together."
Khalaf was one of many attendees who brought their children to the event.
"It's good for her to learn this sort of peace early," he said of his daughter, Sara, 3.
The discussion group will hold peace celebrations from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 13, Sept. 10 and Oct. 8 in the plaza. The public is invited to bring a bag lunch and join the discussion.
"We just talk and empty our hearts," said Mikati. "At least we have our conscience at ease that we did our part in the community to know each other."
No more leftists?
Wow! 30 people! Gotta give them credit. At least they aren't using "Million Mom March" math.
Gee. Impressive, LOL
Drink Up!!
Just imagine how quiet the world would be in the hour or so before the looting starts.
Cool! Now take that that show on the road to, oh, say, Pakistan or Communist China.
Then they will become a hate group whining about the "Ruling Class" or the "Military Industrial Establishment" or whatever they decide is the problem with reaching their goal of "peace"
Gosh. I'm afraid of lots of things that I know. Rattlesnakes. Drunk drivers. The destructive effects of "Liberalism" on America.
These people need to get in touch with the folks in Santa Cruz. There is no hate there. It's against the law. Nobody hates anybody. Nobody hates anything. They can't. It's illegal.
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