The first large US silent Peace Walk is planned for New York City’s Central Park on
Sunday October 7th, 2012. Following an opening gathering in the morning, the walk will
circumnavigate continuously Central Park allowing participants to join along the way.
The walk is intended to be slow, beautiful and dignified, without flags or signage, an
expression of the goodwill and friendliness of people who live together. It empowers us
all to be peacemakers. Instead of shouting in the name of peace, peace will be embodied
by our quiet presence. ‘There is no way to peace, peace is the way’.
With over 8 million people living in New York City, it is one of the most densely
populated and ethnically and religiously diverse cities in the world. Home to over 100
ethnic groups, including several million Muslims and Jews, the walk is intended to
demonstrate that people of all faiths and origins can live peacefully side by side. The
peace we long for in the Middle East and Worldwide is actually possible. We call for the
urgent cessation of violence in the Middle East and a serious and committed movement
towards a sustainable and peaceful coexistence.
The walk will be led by Jack Kornfield, one of the leading Buddhist teachers in America,
Dr. Stephen Fulder, founder of Middleway, an Israeli-Palestinian group applying
mindfulness and spiritual insights to peacemaking, and Professor Sami Zaidalkilani,
Palestinian peace negotiator. Large silent peace walks have become famous in Israel and
Palestine, for 10 years and Dr. Fulder has been a central teacher and visionary for these
walks.
All will be welcome and encouraged to join the walk. Public invitations will be extensive
with outreach to many communities, including well-known religious, cultural, public and
political figures. Further details will continue to be available at http://nypeacewalk.org
