Walking for peace

Deirdre Newman

A traditional celebration of peace turned into a quest for peace when

Orange County residents of diverse faiths united for the 2001 Peace Walk

on Saturday.

The Peace Walk, which took place at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, is

an annual event that honors the United Nations’ International Day of

Peace. .

But this year, as the United States prepares its military for possible

warfare in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade

Center and the Pentagon, the ceremony highlighted the need for peace at

the local, national and global levels.

“It is, however, [up to] each member of the human family -- yes, each

one of us -- to assure that terrorism and hate do not win,” said Costa

Mesa mayor Libby Cowan. “We must continue our work to advance peace,

justice, equality and freedom around our neighborhoods, our communities,

our country, our world.”

The walk drew a larger crowd this year than in the past, with close to

270 participants, officials said.

The rally also drew a few protesters, who used the forum to voice

their opposition to peace in light of the attacks.

Jim Bieber of Costa Mesa said he was driving by the walkers when he

got a sick feeling. He went home and came back with two signs. One of

them read, “No justice. No peace. Retaliate now.”

Another man was seen cycling around the crowd with a shirt that

targeted Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of organizing the Sept. 11

terrorist attacks.

Suzanne Darweesh of the United Nations Association said at times like

this, it’s hard to reconcile the conflict resulting from the desire to

punish the terrorists and the wish for peace.

“When people do such desperate acts, they’re helpless, they hate,”

Darweesh said. “Military retaliation, I think, will just make it worse

and create more terrorism and hate. Which doesn’t mean I think terrorism

should go unpunished.”

The Peace Walk was was originally organized eight years ago by the

Orange County Baha’i communities. The Baha’is believe in the oneness of

humanity and religion, and consider world peace one of their goals.

Other religious groups and civic organizations that participated in

this year’s walk include the United Nations Association, the Unitarian

Universalist Church and the National Association for the Advancement of

Colored People.

The walk’s opening festivities featured blessings by a peace shaman,

Greeta Sacred Song, who also sang about love, peace and harmony.

After the ceremony, participants grabbed flags, balloons and banners

and headed for a lap or two around the Triangle Square Shopping Center.

Costa Mesa resident John Wald said he came to start the healing

process by focusing on something positive.

“I wanted to do something besides be angry because I have a lot of

hurt over what happened and wanted to put my energy into promoting

peace,” Wald said.