Peace begins at home and ripples into the world

August was one of the most deadly months for the U.S. during our more than 10 years of occupation in Afghanistan. August was also one of the worst for our economy in the U.S. Are we getting the message yet? Are our country's priorities in the right place? Many think not.

Peacetown Asheville, along with its more than a dozen sponsors and partners, wants to show our area that there is another way, that there is a better direction out there for our country's leaders to take than on the road it's on now.

When it comes to peace, there is no Republican or Democrat or libertarian or independent. We all want peace in our homes, in our hearts, our communities and in the world. But we have to believe we can achieve it in nonviolent ways. A recent study in the New York Times showed that nonviolent revolutions are successful 50 percent of the time, compared to violent ones at 25 percent of the time.

Vets for Peace will read the Bring Our War Dollars Home resolution that we propose for passage by Asheville City Council in upcoming months. Mike Ferner, the national director, will be our keynote speaker. We invite fellow activists from across the spectrum of political perspectives to speak briefly during our Soap Box session.

Musicians, artists, jugglers and many more will show up Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m. at Pack Square Park and see how it can be cool to love peace once more.

Organizers are dedicating this event to peace-activist Ashevillean Judith Hallock who, due to illness, has had to take a break from her more than 30 years of activism throughout the country.

Peace begins at home and creates ripples into the world. I hope that can happen here in Asheville.

— Rachael Bliss
Asheville

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