Day 1: The launch of the first World March for Peace and Nonviolence in Wellington, New Zealand

Source: theworldmarch.org

On Friday, October 2, 2009, the World March for Peace and Nonviolence began its 93-day journey across the planet in New Zealand. That day also marked the “International Day of Non-Violence,” established by the United Nations in 2007 to recognize the importance of nonviolence as a way of life and as a tactic of social change.

From Wellington, New Zealand, Spokesperson Rafael de la Rubia proclaimed:

Today, on the 2nd of October 2009, the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the International Day of Nonviolence, in Oceania, in Wellington, we initiate the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. From this remote place, far from the centers of power we are initiating this worldwide action...We aspire that, in the same way the sun dawns on the new day for the planet here, a new day starts for all of humanity, with a world without nuclear weapons and without wars. (Read full text here.)

In the United States, here are some of the events across the country to celebrate the significance of today's date on World Peace, aside from the naming of the 2016 Summer Olympics winning city where Chicago had been one of the four remaining contenders.

New York City, New York
October 2nd. 8 a.m Interfaith Blessing Ceremony will take place on the waterfront in Battery Park in front of the East Coast Memorial, opposite 17 State Street
Join religious leaders in sending prayers of protection and well-wishes for the international marchers as they begin their journey in Wellington.
October 2nd Teaching Nonviolence. Throughout the day, teachers, educators, and after school workers will incorporate activities and themes related to nonviolence into their lessons. See www.worldmarchusa.net/educators.php for more info.
October 2nd Brooklyn Ahimsa! Bringin’ the Funk Back to Brooklyn, 7:30PM Brooklyn Lyceum, 4th Ave & Union St. A World March kickoff concert featuring an international, cross-genre lineup, including EARTHDRIVER, THE CITIZENS, MAHINA MOVEMENT, RED BARAAT and CHOCO ORTA. www.brooklynlyceum.com.

Richmond, Virginia
October 2nd Environmental Peace Walk, The Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Nursing is hosting an environmental peace walk as part of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence at noon from the School of Nursing, 1100 E. Leigh St., to the Richmond Peace Education Center, 400 W. 32nd St. This is a 3.2-mile walk one way. In support of the university's Year of the Environment, walkers will pick up litter along the way and deposit it in trash bags with supplies provided by the Clean City Commission.

Santa Monica, California
October 2nd "Peace Matters" Human Peace Symbol, 5:30pm- 7:30pm, the beach at Santa Monica Pier. Dancing, singing, drumming, speaking out and creating a human peace sign

San Francisco, California
October 2nd March/Celebration, 5pm-7pm at the Gandhi Statue in front of the Golden Gate Ferry Terminal at the Bottom of Market Street in San Francisco. Cultural presentations, speakers, music.

Sherborn, Massachusetts

October 2nd Candle-lighting Ceremony at the Peace Abbey, 2 North Main Street, 7:00 p.m. Local musicians, singers, dancers, and spoken word performances based on words of Gandhi, MLK, and other peacemakers.

Boston, Massachusetts
October 2nd Press conference and reception held by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street, Boston, at 2:00pm.

Berea, Kentucky
October 2nd Striving to Be Like the Moon: An Evening of Readings for Peace & Nonviolence. Poems, lyrics, short fiction, and songs that reflect on our hopes for peace & nonviolence.

Allentown, Pennsylvania

October 2nd Cultural Act and Presentation, co-sponsored by People Building Bridges & Mexican Cultural Association of Lehigh Valley.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 2nd Musical Celebration of Nonviolence, Parque de Mayo, sponsored by La Comunidad para el Desarrollo Humano.

Everywhere
October 2nd Candlelight Wave. To celebrate the start of The World March for Peace and Nonviolence, DUO members at www.care2.com and their friends around the world will light a candle on October 2, 2009 during their local time of 8-10 PM. The Wave will begin in New Zealand and end in Hawaii 24 hours later. Everyone lighting a candle or spotting the Wave, as it slowly sweeps around the world, is invited to post a short message of peace. Each member will spend their 2 hours any way they wish—alone, with family, with friends. Members from 64 countries have signed up so far.

October 2nd A Giant Global Sunflower Mandala created through Landart, Dance, Story and Song, beginning on October 2 and taking place throughout the time of the March, sponsored by Women for a Change Global Network.

Related articles:

First World March for Peace and Nonviolence, 2Oct 2009 - 2Jan 2010, 98 countries, 300 cities (video)

World March for Peace and Nonviolence: Kick-off events on Sept 20 - Oct 2, 2009 in New Zealand

World March for Peace and Nonviolence: Tune the world in C# with your voice on 2 October 2009

The World March for Peace and Nonviolence: Bridging cultural divide for world peace and unity

World March for Peace and Nonviolence: International filmmakers join hands to document peace (video)

World March for Peace and Nonviolence launches 2 October 2009 without President Obama's endorsement

Related websites:

Tune the World

The World March for Peace and Nonviolence

World March for Peace and Nonviolence (Main Page)

By Gina Alzate, who is also the National Interracial Relationship Examiner and the Philadelphia Romance Examiner. She is a Travel Consultant and a Cruise Planner with World Tours and Cruises, and she leads Angel Communication workshops with Holistic Life Designs.