In recognition of the tragic terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Going Against the Grain Peace Coalition will hold its 3rd annual peace walk. The coalition has been an advocate of peace in recent years with a series of peace walks. Previous walks have gone from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in Red Hook to Emancipation Garden and from the University of the Virgin Islands to Emancipation Garden. All walks carry the theme of “From Education to Emancipation.”
This year, demonstrators will walk from Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School to Emancipation Garden beginning at 6 a.m. on Sept. 10. Under Robinson’s leadership, who is a native of St. Thomas, the coalition recently sent a 12th grade student at Central High School in St. Croix to Niagara Falls, Canada, this past summer under the organization’s 7 Year Project.
Robinson said, “Commemorating the events of 9/11 is important to our community. We must keep the concept of peace in the forefront of our minds. This demonstration will definitely help with that.” The walk will end with a rally and a series of speakers. The entire community is welcomed to attend with community leaders being strongly encouraged to attend.
“This walk is different from many others. We ensure our distance and routes bring the attention it is intended to. We don’t claim to make our walks easy and unnoticeable. We expect the community to see the extreme in what we do. We must show the criminals how bad we want peace in our streets. Short easy walks don’t send this message,” said Robinson.
The walk’s route will go through Bovoni, Nadir, Fort Mylner, Raphune Hill and Long Bay, taking the participants into Emancipation Garden through the waterfront.
All participants are asked to wear plain white T-shirts. The walk will be at a healthy pace. Signs are welcomed. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and transportation will be provided.
To get information on the organization or information on this event, visit www.ipromotepeace.org or call 473-7500.
