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World March for Peace Begins in Wellington
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Click to enlarge World March for Peace and Nonviolence supporters
The World March for Peace
and Nonviolence starts off their 3 month long voyage to
promote peace in all realms of life, protest the use of
nuclear arms, and spread a message of universal acceptance
and love today, October 2nd, the anniversary of the birth of
Mahatma Ghandi. The travelling march will visit 90 countries
on 6 continents, ending in Argentina on January 2 of next
year.
A ceremony was held in the courtyard at the
Wellington train station this morning and a wreath of
flowers placed over the neck of the statue of Ghandi which
is posed in a walking position in the gardens facing the
rail station.
Numerous representatives from Wellington
government including the Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon, Maori
community leaders, as well as World March for Peace and
Nonviolence organisers made speeches of encouragement and
support to Wellington marchers, who faced chilling winds
throughout this morning's demonstration.
After being lead through the Parliament grounds by New Zealand Coordinator and Head Marshall for the march, Alyn Ware, the crowd sat for a free concert at St. Andrews on the Terrace.
Click to enlarge Marchers on the Parliament steps.
Performers included local Wellington musicians Graham Albright, Carlos Nave, and Sala-Marlene Tyler. The Topp Twins, fresh from gathering a People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, reminded the crowd that New Zealanders are "peace warriors" and do have the power to make change in the world.
Click to enlarge The Topp Twins address the crowd at St. Andrews Terrace.
Alyn Ware closed the concert by taking the stage himself,
singing and playing a song he wrote, "Aotearoa Nuclear Free Zone" on acoustic guitar.
The march continued on to various historical city sites and peace events throughout the afternoon, concluding back at the railway station in the evening.
For more information on the March for World Peace and Nonviolence visit the official website at http://www.theworldmarch.org/ .
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