Press release from Rachael Bliss:
Asheville — Robert Thomas, a 33 year old native of Asheville, has been named WNC’s 2020 Peacemaker by WNC 4 Peace, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 and other local peace activists. An experienced Community Leader by the inequities of the Criminal Justice System, he is a former Justice involved individual himself and understands the negative impacts and disparities faced by people of color in the carceral system.
With over 10 years of direct experience, Robert has now narrowed his focus to racial justice, decarceration, and activism around police accountability that was recently brought to the attention of residents this summer following the killing of George Floyd and others this summer.
In addition, Robert is the newly named Community Liaison for the Racial Justice Coalition of Asheville and a partner of a minority-owned Equity Consulting Firm. Recently he was Among the finalists to fill the City Council seat vacated by Council Member Vijay Kapoor.
The young man, along with another community leader yet to be announced, will be officially recognized at the Twelfth Annual International Day of Peace ceremony at noon Monday, September 21 at the Downtown Asheville Elder and Sage Community Gardens on Page Street.
The short event will also feature Peace Day Proclamations from the City of Asheville, Brownie Newman, chair of the Buncombe County Commission and the WNC State Legislative Delegation. Brian Haynes, member of the Asheville City Council Will represent the city and Rep. Susan Fisher will represent the Legislative Delegation.
All attendees at the event must wear masks and socially distance outside the fence of the garden, planners say.
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