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Castlegar marks Day of Peace

A small crowd turned out to Millennium Park last Thursday to mark the International Day of Peace.
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Coun. Deb McIntosh helped organize the Day of Peace event because “of all the things that are happening in the world.” She was accompanied by Coun. Dan Rye. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Despite the colder weather, a small crowd turned out to Millennium Park last Thursday to mark the International Day of Peace.

The Castlegar event was put on by the Kootenay Region United Nations Association (KRUNA), the Union of Spiritual Communities in Christ (USCC), the Mir Centre for Peace and the City of Castlegar.

Those who spoke called for nuclear disarmament and the end of war.

J.J. Verigin, president of KRUNA and executive director of USCC, criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat out the United Nations’ meeting where a treaty to ban nuclear weapons was negotiated.

“Brothers and sisters, don’t follow leaders, become leaders,” he said.

Verigin did acknowledge the support of local politicians, especially Coun. Deb McIntosh, who played a big role in organizing last Thursday’s event.

“I wanted to be involved this year because of all the things that are happening in the world. We’re seeing people that are being harmed for no reason other than — well I don’t know why. Because there’s craziness going on in the world,” said McIntosh. “I see people and friends from the Pride community that are being harmed in ways that are just reprehensible. People of all sorts and it hurts my heart, and I know we can do better.”

Though neither MP Richard Cannings or MLA Katrine Conroy could attend the event, both sent representatives.

“Yesterday, the entire NDP caucus symbolically signed the nuclear weapons ban treaty on behalf of Canada in front of the parliament building,” Gina Petrakos read on behalf of Cannings. “And today I will be speaking in the House, asking for a stronger response to the arms trade treaty.”

“So this global campaign that they’re trying to do with days of peace throughout the world, to have respect, safety and dignity for everyone who flees their homes to try to find safety and a better life, and a belief that is important to support diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees, migrants and everyone who needs a safe place — that is our responsibility as citizens of this world to help and support all people, and we want to thank everyone who’s come out to support this belief,” Edena Brown read on behalf of Conroy.

Support for refugees was also a big part of the event, and Rosemary Manarin from the Castlegar Refugee Project (CaRe) spoke about the continued need for support in Castlegar.

CaRe sponsored both a Burmese and Syrian family, but the organization’s year of supporting each family is coming to a close, so Manarin and others are now hoping that a new group of Castlegar residents will take up the banner and sponsor a new family.

Anyone interested in joining the Castlegar Refugee Project or who has questions can contact Julie Leffelaar at 250-304-0772.

The Day of Peace also included plenty of singing and a blessing from Métis Elder Gerry Rempel.

Despite low temperatures for the fall, most of the crowd was there for two hours, hoping to inspire one another to act for peace.

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Edena Brown (left) spoke on behalf of MLA Katrine Conroy and Gina Petrakos spoke on behalf of MP Richard Cannings. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
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Many people, including members of the Doukhobor Choir, inspired the crowd with music. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
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Many people, including members of the Doukhobor Choir, inspired the crowd with music. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
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Many people, including members of the Doukhobor Choir, inspired the crowd with music. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)