Music, activities, vigil planned throughout day

KINGSTON, R.I., Sept. 11, 2015 – We live in turbulent times. Thousands of refugees are fleeing a horrific war in Syria. Racial tensions are escalating following the shootings of unarmed African American men. And income inequality is creating a country of haves and have-nots.

What better time to call for peace?

On Sept. 24, hundreds of University of Rhode Island students are expected to hold hands to form a giant peace sign to celebrate URI Day of Peace, hosted by the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. The gathering will be at 1 p.m. on the University’s quadrangle.

Other activities are also planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the day. The Ukulele Peace Orchestra will perform and students and faculty will have an opportunity to make peace flags, draw peace postcards, blow bubbles and “hula hoop for peace.” Peace bracelets will be handed out, as well as tea bags to encourage people to drink a cup of tea for peace.

The day will culminate with a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m., also on the quadrangle.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Amnesty International will sponsor informational booths.

The entire URI community is invited to join the celebration. “We’re pleased that URI will add its voice to an International Day of Peace,” says Paul Bueno de Mesquita. “It’s a day that the United Nations devotes to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.”

The United Nation’s International Day of Peace, and its theme “Partnerships for Peace-Dignity for All,” is a global event that encourages people, organizations and countries to work together to promote peace.

For more information, contact the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at 401-874-2875 or visit http://web.uri.edu/noviolence.

Pictured above: University of Rhode Island students hold hands to form a peace sign on campus. Photo courtesy of URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies.