LONG BEACH COMMUNITY TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR PEACE WALK AND BE S.A.F.E. CULTURAL FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATION
What: An alliance of community organizations, churches and residents plan to walk for peace in North Long Beach and other communities racked by violence. The peace walk on Atlantic Avenue, planned as a positive response to the recent spate of violence, seeks to call attention to the need for unity and addressing the root causes of violence in communities. The peace walk will conclude with a cultural friendship celebration of the multicultural community that is North Long Beach. Testimonials from community residents, cultural performances, and health and social service information booths will be part of the celebration.
Who:One Long Beach is an Alliance for Better Communities and Schools. Among its members are Centro CHA, Black Family United, Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization (ICO), Church 1, Victory Outreach, Interval House, Latino Coalition for Community Leadership, and Educated Men with Meaningful Message (EM3). Supporting the Peace Walk are the offices of Councilmembers Al Austin and Rex Richardson along with the Long Beach Police Department.
Why: Community members have been meeting to discuss positive responses and solutions to the long-term issue of violence and its root causes. That effort has taken on a new urgency with the recent uptick in violence. The Peace Walk and Cultural Friendship Celebration seek to engage community residents, organizations, businesses and government in a strong alliance to address the issue of violence and implement the solutions to its root causes.
When:Thursday, July 31, 2014. The Peace Walk will assemble at 5:00 pm and kick off at 5:30 pm. The Be S.A.F.E. Cultural Friendship Celebration is expected to begin at or around 6:30 pm.
Where: Peace Walk kicks off at 52nd Street and Atlantic Avenue and proceeds north along Atlantic. The Friendship Celebration will occur at southwest corner of Houghton Park, Atlantic and East Harding Street, north of the iconic Helicopter marking the Vietnam Memorial.