Loaner
Project South
Country Peace Group
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International
Cities of Peace
One of our three goals is to help Long Island Cities be
recognized as International Cities of Peace. You can learn more about this group of
Cities at www.InternationalCitiesofPeace.org.
Here is what they propose:
Imagine
a world of cities dedicated to expanding their local peace economy and
encouraging a global culture of peace. Safety, prosperity, and quality of life
are universal values that bring peace to our lives.
First
and foremost in this global adventure is to reject violence and define ourselves
as people of peace. International Cities of Peace is a formal Association of
communities that by history, resolution, or proclamation are doing just this —
self-defining their community as an official City of Peace. This redefinition
requires building a consensus network of business, government and community
leaders who value safety, prosperity and quality of life. Then the work begins
with a vision, a mission, and the goals and objectives that deliver the promise.
Patchogue has recently been accepted as the 331st
International City of Peace. It is the first on Long Island to become
recognized as such. Here is an article from The Long Island Advance that
announced this achievement: Long Island Advance Sept. 2, 2021, Page 2.
Peaceful and proud!
Patchogue presented International City of Peace designation
Posted Thursday, September 2, 2021 12:00 am
Local residents Jen Brady Cotter and John Baum launched the Patchogue Peace
Project in 2020 to "initiate and support educational advocacy and
collaborative efforts that foster a culture of peace in the community."
Earlier this week, the community was officially awarded as the first
International City of Peace on Long Island. Over the past six months, project
liaison Brady Cotter and peacemaker Baum worked with community partners,
developing a long-term vision for peacemaking in the community, receiving a
proclamation from the village declaring support for their efforts, and creating
a document describing the legacy of peacebuilding in Patchogue.
"We have always been a welcoming community; therefore, the idea of being
a village of peace is great for a community that believes in peaceful
relationships for all of the members of our visitors, residents and
passersby," Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri said.
Patchogue’s legacy of peace evolved into an inspiring tribute to the
community’s long history of collaboration among residents, institutions,
schools, local governments, businesses, and organizations that revealed the
dedication and commitment to creating an enduring culture of peace. Patchogue
has worked to increase the safety, prosperity, and quality of life for all its
residents, through several peace pole installations, proclamations, art
installations and vigils.
Their project also reflects on the many ways Patchogue has united to reject
hate. Some examples include how the community came together after the hate crime
killing of Marcelo Lucero. It describes how in the aftermath of the tragedy,
anniversary vigils took place across Patchogue, the Play for Peace soccer
tournament was launched, and local residents worked together not only to heal,
but to build bridges within the community.
The report also spotlights how so many local institutions serve as the
cornerstones for peacebuilding, spotlighting the Patchogue- Medford Library,
Patchogue-Medford Youth & Community Services, and SEPA Mujer.
"Of course, the story would not be complete without acknowledging the
tremendous role the arts have played in bringing the community together,"
said chairperson for the Patchogue Peace Project, Brady Cotter. "The work
of several groups is highlighted, such as the Patchogue Arts Council for its
continuous commitment to building empathy and understanding through
multicultural exhibits and programs."
Brady Cotter has been actively engaged in violence prevention, community
building, and other peacemaking efforts for the past 25 years. She co-founded
National Youth Violence Prevention Week, a campaign now adopted by Sandy Hook
Promise; partnered with Herstory Writers Workshop to host a social justice
memoir-writing workshop; and is an active member of Building Bridges in
Brookhaven, among others.
She said she was thrilled when lifelong peacemaker John Baum reached out to
her to work on Patchogue becoming an International City of Peace. Baum had
already been working with Pax Christi and the Rotary on a mission to bring over
100 peace poles to Long Island. With partners jumping in from the library,
chamber of commerce, PMYCS, St. Joseph’s College, and several organizations,
the project took off.
"In a time with so much division, this is a wonderful example of what
can happen when we come together," Brady Cotter said. "With this
designation, the village has joined a network of 330 other cities across the
globe dedicated to building a culture of peace. While we are honored to achieve
it, it is also our goal to use this as an opportunity to initiate and support
ongoing efforts to put peace into action. Upcoming events include community
conversations to identify our shared values, as well as programs to teach
conflict management, compassionate communication, and other peace building
skills."
Brady Cotter encourages anyone interested in being part of the effort to jump
in. For more information and to connect with the Patchogue Peace Project email:
patchoguepeaceproject@gmail.com.
What is an International City of Peace?
According to the International Cities of Peace website: International Cities
of Peace is an association of citizens, governments and organizations who have
by proclamation, resolution, or by citizen advocacy established their
communities as official Cities of Peace. Every community has a legacy of peace,
whether it is by a historical event or by a local peace heroes or groups who
have contributed to their citizen’s safety, prosperity and quality of life.
No city is 100 percent a city of peace; rather, all are on the path to
"becoming" a more peaceful city. Establishing a community as a peace
city recognizes past achievements, encourages current initiatives, and inspires
future generations for practical peace building.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some reasons why Patchogue was accepted as An
International CIty of Peace
- We have ordered 12 Peace Poles and have planted four in
Patchogue.
- We have four youth groups involved in the Patchogue area.
- We have four other Peace Activist groups helping.
- We have a related web site:
www.PeacePoles.info.
- We have at least nine Peace Poles in Patchogue already (5 at
one school and two at another).
- The Patchogue-Medford Library and the Carnegie Library have
planted Peace Poles, and have a youth group involved. The Library has plans for having
patrons make plaques, for use on Sign Poles and Peace Poles, using their laser
engraving machine. They also have volunteers make pins and stencils for use
at peace events, and have a Peace page on their web site to help promote
this project
- Our local art group is considering painting a Peace
Telephone pole this year during the annual art fair on Terry Street, right
across
the street from the Art Center (an ideal location).
- We donated an outdoor Peace Pole and a Peace Pole Sign to non-profit fund
raising auction events at The Hope House Ministries Annual Dinner in
2020, at the Bellport Boys & Girls Club Annual Beach Ball Event.
- We are working to have the Patchogue-Medford School
District use Indoor Peace Poles at all 19 public schools, and have a
contest to see which schools can make the best use of their Peace Poles
during the 2022 school year.
- We are working to have the Diocese of Rockville Center Education Office
encourage all Catholic Schools in the Diocese (51 Schools) to have an
Indoor Peace Pole, and similar contest.
- We are working with youth groups to have garbage cans in
the area painted with Peace Messages and Symbols.
- We have formed a "Patchogue Peace Committee" to further
promote peace-education, and action in the community.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcelo
Lucero, and Nina Uchida Friedberg were
honored
on International Peace Day
Linda Leuzzi, Long Island Advance, Oct. 1`,2020
The
arc of Marcello Lucero’s tragic death from a hate crime in 2008 that
rocked Patchogue evolved into a memorial and the unveiling of a Peace
Poll on Monday at the Carnegie Library with his brother Joselo Lucero
and several officials, friends, and others from peace organizations,
honoring the meaning of his life and its aftermath.
Nina
Uchida Friedberg, a stalwart supporter of Joselo during his grief and
member of the South Country Peace Group, was also honored posthumously
that day later at the Patchogue-Medford Library with a Peace Pole of
her own.
And
Patchogue got its own recognition as the first City of Peace on Long
Island.
Forty
people attended the event on the International Day of Peace sponsored
by the Patchogue-Medford Library that included a Peace Walk down Main
Street.
“It’s
absolutely essential that young people do everything they can to
insure society’s inclusion,” said Joselo Lucero at the ceremony.
“My brother’s death created a new meaning in my life and while I
was going to schools to talk to students, I felt I was doing good.”
Joselo
Lucero spoke of Friedberg’s support and commitment against racism as
did NYS Senator Monica Martinez (D-3rd Senate
District), a Salvador-American, who was an immigrant herself.
The
idea for the event began a year ago, said Patchogue-Medford Library
director Danielle Paisley. “John Baum reached out to me and was
looking for a partner to start planting Peace Poles,” she said.
“He wants to plant 100 on Long Island, but wanted to start right
here at home where he lived.”
Baum
approached Legis. Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue) about his idea for a Peace
Pole honoring Marcello Lucero. When discussing the location, the
Carnegie was chosen.
“On
the flip side, Marian Russo’s mom passed away and she set up a
memorial fund for her mother, her mom volunteered at the library,”
Paisley explained. When Baum spoke to Paisley, Nina Friedberg’s name
came up as a natural for a second Peace Pole; she was a committed
Women in Black in Sayville and Bellport among other activities.
Paisley’s
staff also had a lead up of events at the library including a
discussion of New
York Times 1619 Project.
She
credited Baum for his commitment to the idea.
Baum,
a Patchogue resident since 1965, is a member of Pax Christi Long
Island (Pax Christi is a Catholic membership organization that rejects
war, its preparation, every form of violence and domination and
racism); the group is trying to get young people involved, he said.
“I
decided the Peace Pole activity would draw them.” He traveled to The
Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic, New York, affiliated with the United
Nations. “They have a Peace Poll for everyone in the United
Nations,” he said. They also build them.
At
around the same time, Baum learned of a Rotary Club in Portland,
Oregon with the goal of planting 100 Peace Poles. That interaction led
to Baum’s learning about Rotary Clubs locally committing, via Rotary
Club International and their peace initiative, to plant poles on Long
Island. “The Rotary Club keeps track of the poles and created a
map,” he said, of the Pax Christi & Long Island and Long Island
Rotary Clubs Peace Pole Project.
So,
“a youth group in Patchogue may get poles planted,” Baum said.
He’s
formed a Patchogue Peace Committee and hopes that youth groups will
get involved to have Long Island Cities recognized as Cities of Peace.
Patchogue is the first one to be cited. James Skidmore, who was at the
ceremony, is the chairperson for Patchogue: City of Peace Committee.
Baum
cited the Patchogue Rotary’s involvement; Patchogue Rotary president
Brian McAuliff spoke at the ceremony; at Nina Friedberg’s memorial,
Kevin Mann with Long Island Rotary Groups for Peace spoke.
Another
organization involved with the movement representing Patchogue’s
honor is the International Cities of Peace; its mission is to evolve
peace building at the local level.
“We
have a list of ten reasons why Patchogue should be recognized as a
city of peace, and to be recognized is an honor,” Baum said.
Patchogue-Medford
Library Makerspace
Make a one-hour appointment to use the PM
Makerspace to help promote Peace and Nonviolence in our community (call:
631-654-4700). Visit the site at:
https://pmlib.org/makerspace/
The makerspace has laser equipment for engraving
Peace Poles, three-dimensional printers for making special objects; pin making
machines, which can be used to make Peace Pins; equipment for making stencils,
which we use to make Peace Symbols for painting of refuse cans, etc.
Volunteers use this equipment to make objects used in our Peace Campaigns.
Please join us and enjoy!
Home
Why Peace Poles Are
Important Youth
Projects Photos Languages
Costs & Ordering Database Peace
Pole Signs &Time Capsules
Dedication Ceremonies Projects
Cooperating Groups How
You Can Help Loaner
Project South
Country Peace Group
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Desktop
Peace Poles - Awards
Steve Baum made 38 desktop Peace Poles from trees
in Lenox, MA and Patchogue, NY. The poles have marble bases. These
Peace Poles have the Message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" imprinted in
four languages on the sides. This printing was done by volunteers at the
PM Library Makerspace (Patchogue-Medford
Library Makerspace) using their laser printing machine. The bases say
"Thanks to" and the name of a special Peace Maker who is given the
Peace Pole at an awards ceremony.
Home
Why Peace Poles Are
Important Youth
Projects Photos Languages
Costs & Ordering Database Peace
Pole Signs &Time Capsules
Dedication Ceremonies Projects
Cooperating Groups How
You Can Help Loaner
Project South
Country Peace Group
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International
Indoor Peace Pole Contest in Schools
BE A PEACEMAKER
As a continuing effort to promote peace and nonviolence in our community and
the world, our Patchogue-Medford Peace Committee is working with the PM Library
Maker Room where volunteers like you: print “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in
four languages on desktop Peace Poles; and make plaques, pins and stencils for
promoting peace. We are now planning an Indoor Peace Pole Contest. Your help in
promoting this project, and the above, is appreciated. Contact John at
PaxChristi18@gmail.com
for more information and we will keep you informed of our plans and progress as
they develop.
Here is the status of the project: (April, 2022)
1. Other School Districts: Since PM has only one HS, we have made contacts
with interested activists in S. Country, Sayville and Longwood School districts
to see if their Districts might join in the contests. If they do, they could
either have a sponsor pay for the poles (about $200 each with base) or ask each
participating school to pay for their own poles. If a sponsor is found, we would
probably make a "Donated By: ...” plaque for placement on the base of the
Peace Pole. This makes it a great way for a business, person or group to get
recognition for their contribution for many years, since the poles would be used
and seen at the schools for years to come.
2.
Funding: The Greater Patchogue Foundation has sponsors so the PM District
is covered. Other districts or school systems, if involved, would be expected to
cover their own costs.
We plan to expand the contest idea to involve schools throughout the world
with
Pax Christi USA, Rotary Clubs or other organizations with Intyernational
chapters as lead organizations.