This is an article written by the San Diego organizer of the 1998 Season for Non-Violence event.
I would like to inform you if you do not know already about an exciting and uplifting time of the year- it is called the Season for Non-Violence. January 30 and April 4, 1998 mark the 50th and 30th anniversaries of the assassinations of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The days between these memorial anniversaries are being hailed as A Season for Non-Violence - a time to raise awareness about the principles and practices of nonviolence, to highlight the local 'heroes' and initiatives that are putting them into practice, and to honor the legacies of two great men who taught the world an alternative means for defusing conflict and transforming communities.
In keeping with the spirit of this time communities are offering workshops on how to live compassionately. We would like to teach and inspire the world to live an existence that is in harmony with a peaceful planet.
As individuals and as a society, we have evolved to the point where violence is no longer recognized as a viable solution to chaos we have created and the consequences of which we now face. Violent actions and reactions are the scars of social, educational and economic wounds... the voices of a spiritually inarticulate culture. The practice of nonviolence is initiated by choice and cultivated through agreement. The time has come to agree on this as a global community - as if our lives and those of our children's children, depended on it.
Our vision is of a better world for all human beings. Further, we are determined to base our actions on values firmly rooted in our diverse inner beliefs and traditions. To this end, we undertake "Gandhi/King: A Season for Nonviolence" by applying our efforts and resources to identifying, then bringing into full public focus the rich spectrum of grassroots projects and programs by individuals and organizations who are pro-actualizing a culture of peace.
Our purpose is to create an awareness of nonviolent principles and practice as a powerful way to heal, transform and empower our lives and communities.
We are demonstrating that every person can move the world in the direction of peace through their daily nonviolent choice and action.
If you would like more information about the Season or would like to initiate some awareness raising events, I would be honoured to assist you in any way that I can.
Also, please check out www.GandhiKing.com for more information about the season.
If you are in the San Diego area, please come to our event in March. There will be a special concert featuring Karl Anthony on March 12 followed on March 13 with a conference on non-violence. The event will take place at the Naval Training Center (off Rosecrans St) in San Diego.
Sangeeta Kumar
sangeeta@towardsfreedom.com
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