Oklahoma Independent Media Center

Governor Proclaims September 21st as an International Day of Peace for Oklahoma!

Thousands of Students create pinwheels for peace

Celebration at the Gold Dome Multicultural Society

N.W. 23rd and Classen on Friday, September 21st from 5:30-8:00

OKC – Students and other community members throughout the greater Oklahoma City area will participate in the United Nation’s International Day of Peace Celebration at the Gold Dome. From Norman to Edmond and beyond, students are creating pinwheels with words about peace and harmony. These works of art will spin in the wind, decorating schools, homes and businesses on the International Day of Peace. As students create these pinwheels, they are asked to reflect on Peace: A state of calm and tranquility, with no anxiety or violence.

Speakers at event include: Mayor Mick Cornett, Bob Cox, UN Association of OKC, OKC Superintendent of Schools John Q. Porter, State Senators Connie Johnson and Andrew Rice, Mike Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation and Bob Cox, United Nations Association of Greater OKC.

Activities at the Celebration Event include Multicultural Dancing, Singing, Drumming with Jahruba, and music provided by local youth, Linwood A+ Choir, Steve McLinn and Ojas Music, Senator Connie Johnson, Columbus Folkloric Dancers, Maja School of Dance, Dara Franklin’s Native American Dancers, Younger Legions of Mary’s Asian Dancers, and Dances of Universal Peace. Refreshments provided by local restaurants and youth from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Edmond Youth Group. Giant Peace Dove Puppet created by pre-teens from Roots and Shoots will welcome all to the event. Create your own pinwheel for peace. Supplies provided for young and old!

Display Tables will provide nonpolitical information about peace from dozens of groups and organizations promoting peace within, among groups and with our environment. Displays will provide families with information about cultivating peace within and without.

Students are being asked to Imagine… Whirled Peace! To plant gardens of pinwheels for peace. Events are being planned throughout the world, sponsored by the United Nations. The greater OKC area event is co-sponsored by the United Nations Association of Greater OKC and the Gold Dome Multicultural Society. For info about the event go to www.una-okc.org

For interviews and pre-publicity with youth and schools contact Gail Sloop, 640-5699.

To learn about Pinwheels for Peace projects throughout the world, visit

www.pinwheelsforpeace.com