Human Peace Sign Draws About 600, Making Statement About Unity, Standing Up For What Is Right

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP >> An estimated 600 guests of The Peace Center gathered at Bucks County Community College to form the Human Peace Sign on Sunday, May 21.

Brielle Holmes, 4, of Newtown Township, was running through the grass with Rolley Giacalone,11, of Carversville. She came to the Human Peace Sign with her mother, Bernell; her brother, Brandon; and his sister, Jamaya.

“We’re here to promote peace and unity,” said Bernell.

“I wanted them to see that everyone can come together regardless of your race, your ethnicity, your culture, your religion,” she said. “We can all come together in unity just to take a stand against the hatred that is in our country.”

Nancy Pooka, 63, of Doylestown Township, said she came to the event because, she believes that “peace is a really important thing to support during these troubled times.”

She remembers the 1960s and the civil rights marches. “I think things are coming around full circle again,” she said. “Before the 60s, people didn’t protest and went along with the norm. I think with the mixing of the younger generation with the baby boomers that it’s time for us to stand up and march and speak for peace again.”

Barbara Simmons, executive director of The Peace Center, addressed participants. She encouraged people especially to speak up for what is right when, for example, they witness a racial slur.

“Do something when you hear something that is not okay,” she said. “Don’t ignore it. Don’t get silent. Don’t walk away. What we need is a lot of ‘upstanders.’

Simmons added, “I hope you will follow me in being one of those that speaks up for peace wherever you go.”

She thanked Grace Wheeler, program coordinator at The Peace Center, and her committee. “A lot of work went into this,” she said. “Your donations are going to directly help the work that we do. It’s really important that you give what you can. That means a lot to me and it goes a long way.”

Rev. Rhetta Morgan, M.C. of the event, is an interfaith minister, who studies the primary principles of all the major spiritual religious traditions.

“During these times,” she said in an interview, “where there are ‘uncomfortable’ -- some would say ‘damaging policies’ and things that are happening in our country -- this is an opportunity to remember that we are bigger than the conflict and the kinds of difficulties we are having.”

She added, “We the collective community of this country are greater than the challenges that we are having.”

Morgan said the Human Peace Sign is uplifting and validates a positive aspect of being human. “We can be peaceful,” she said. “We can be innovative and creative and find ways to move toward each other to figure out how to be harmonious in our differences. We can figure out how to work together. “

Linda Salley, president of the African American Museum of Bucks County (AAMBC,) and other members of the group had a table among other non-profit organizations. “These are difficult times and we need peace,” she said. “We need to bring everyone together.

Salley said it was a good place and time to communicate her group’s positive work. We were sharing history with those who walked by and wanted to know about us,” she said. “There are so many people that don’t know we exist. We’re trying to give knowledge of our existence.”

LisaBeth Weber -- a songwriter, singer, musician and artist -- was among the performers invited to entertain at the event.

“In this world we’re in, we all have to keep active about kindness because the more things get intense with politics -- the more we have to have balance with peace and kindness…It’s really unbelievable what’s been happening,” she said in an interview.

“We have to keep active in our hearts and minds about what is important and resisting the unprecedented unbelievable situation we’re in in politics. It’s so over the top. I can’t even wrap my head around it...I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

Before the actual formation, people sat on blankets enjoying food from the various food trucks. They enjoyed the many local musicians’ performances.

Musical entertainment included: The Cerebelles, John Beacher, Too Many Cooks and Weber.

The Lenape Middle School Chamber Choir sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” as the Human Peace Sign formed. Participants joined in.

Twins Celie and Kira Bird, 13 months old, were crawling happily and very quickly through the lush grass after the Human Peace Sign was formed.

“This is our first time here,” said their mother, Alexandra, of Buckingham. “They were too young last year. We’re coming again next year!!”