Pacific Students Take Part In Peace Day, Climate Strike
On Friday, September 20th, students, faculty, staff, alum, and community members gathered at Pacific University to mark the International Day of Peace and the Global Climate Strike. Students, with the support of the Center for a Sustainable Future at Pacific University, Pacific University Center for Peace and Spirituality, and 350PDX-Washington County Team, provided support.
Hundreds showed up to take part.
”The International Day of Peace (#PeaceDay) is observed around the world each year. Established in 1981 by unanimous #UnitedNations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace, ” notes the UN.
The Pacific University community was invited to sign a peace pledge, in which signers pledged to:
- Offer radical hospitality to neighbors everywhere
- Stand up against all forms of bigotry and oppression
- See the sacred worth in those around us
- Work to end violence
- Confront the global climate crisis
- Create a more just world
The Global Climate Strike promised to bring millions across the world out ”of our workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels.”
View pictures of the day on Facebook.
That was the message shared by student speakers.
Carrie Friedman, one of the student organizers, told the crowd: ”Climate change should be our number one, most urgent priority,” and informed those gathered that the global strike was ”the largest environmental protest in the history of the world."
Read the Forest Grove News-Times
Noting that the theme this year for International Day of Peace was ”Climate Action,” Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie said in a written personal statement: ”Climate change contributes to the international refugee crisis, makes war more likely, and is causing great pain and suffering. Young people deserve a more peaceful and just world. For people of faith, there is a deeply spiritual connection to this issue. We are called to be stewards of Creation; not exploiters of it.” Dr. Currie is the director of the Center for Peace and Spirituality and university chaplain at Pacific University.
