Community comes together for International Peace Day – Manhattan Beach, California – USA
September 30, 2023
by Hibah Samad
The community recognized the United Nations International Day of Peace last Thursday as the non-profit organization STAND 4 PEACE hosted a gathering in the Manhattan Beach Civic Plaza.
“I’m thrilled you are all here to see the many efforts made by our community to recognize this important day,” said former mayor Hildy Stern.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Karen Wooldridge and Donna Barney Nicholson, co-founders of STAND 4 PEACE, have organized Peace Day celebrations since 2019.
Wooldridge thanked Manhattan Beach Unified leaders and the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for their partnership in having “Teach Peace Week” assemblies and activities at all eight school campuses.
“The Teach Peace Week activities support the efforts and program of No Place for Hate,” she said.
Last year, all Manhattan Beach Schools were designated as “No Place for Hate” (NPFH) campuses by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Los Angeles. MBUSD is the only school district in the ADL Los Angeles coverage area to earn this title at all campuses. The NPFH national initiative provides schools with a student-led framework to combat bias, bullying, and hatred.
MBUSD Superintendent John Bowes noted that the week aligns with MBUSD Board goals.
“Our first Board Goal in MBUSD is the fundamental focus on educational excellence. A big contributor to that is our second Board goal which focuses on providing a climate of care in the classroom and on every campus,” Bowes said.
Bowes said the week-long peace activities was thanks to not only teachers, principals, parents, volunteers, community members, but was a true collaborative effort between everyone to make the week possible.
As part of the week-long celebration across MBUSD, each school also received Peace Poles donated by the MBEF through its Educator grant program. “The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation believes in supporting all students in their academic journey, and that includes ensuring that each student is able to focus on learning in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Hilary Mahan, MBEF Executive Director. “The simple white pole will be not just a day but a year-round symbol for peace on school campuses.”
The poles are an internationally recognized symbol of unity and peace. Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Executive Director Hilary Mahan shared that there are an estimated 250,000 of these Peace Poles worldwide.
This year’s UN International Day of Peace theme is “Actions for Peace.” Wooldridge said that International Day of Peace “provides a powerful opportunity to consider the concept of peace and how we can each build Peace in our everyday world with small and big actions.”
After her remarks, everyone observed a moment of quiet, for peace, on the International Day of Peace, creating a virtual, global wave of peace.
Manhattan Beach Police Department Sergeant Andy Abreu emphasized MBPD’s unwavering commitment to keeping the peace and fostering stronger community engagement.
“It is more important than ever that we, as a community, come together to build bridges of trust and understanding,” Abreu said. “Policing is the institution entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of our citizens and maintaining law and order.”
“MBPD is fully committed to keeping the peace and strengthening our bond with the community,” he said. “We pledge to serve with integrity, compassion, and dedication.”
One of the event’s highlights was the Mira Costa students who led “Teach Peace Week” on their campus and are part of the high school’s award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) program. Throughout the week, Mira Costa students Anthony Padnos and Hudson Sagadevan visited MBUSD schools to share about the MUN program.
“Much like the open dialogue brought forward in Model UN, Peace Day emphasizes the individual’s role in building a harmonious global community,” Padros said.
“Peace Day is not just a date on the calendar; it’s a mindset, a commitment,” Sagadevan said. “It reminds us that peace starts within, in the conversations we have and the choices we make every day. Let’s carry the spirit of Peace Day forward, making every day a step towards a harmonious world for all.”
Other speakers at the event were MBUSD Trustee Tina Shivpuri, MCHS Principal Dr. Karina Gerger, community member Diana Skaar, who read a statement on behalf of City of Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery, and Jon Hirshberg, a South Bay business owner, and the creator of the Tour de Pier event.
The Mira Costa High Choir, led by Choirs Director Kate Crellin, joined the celebration. They performed “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna and there was also a breathtaking performance by Mira Costa student Samantha Probst, who sang “Imagine” by John Lennon.
The ceremony ended with all attendees uniting to stand in the formation of a peace sign.