LEVERETT — A 21-day walk that will promote making the world more peaceful and just through the concept of shared security begins at the New England Peace Pagoda Wednesday.
Tim Bullock, an organizer of the Walk for a New Spring, in its 18th year, said much of the march’s focus will be on how to get rid of a “war mentality” to create a more healthy and sustainable world.
“We are working on policies to make us safer in this country and to make sure people are safer in other counties,” Bullock said.
Using the perspective of shared security, and focusing on the evils of racism, militarism and materialism, the walk aims to reduce the “us versus them” approach, Bullock said, and improve the climate by moving toward cooperative strategies for shared solutions.
During the walk, which concludes in Washington, D.C. April 9, both national and state issues will be addressed, in both conversation and petitions.
For instance, people will be invited to sign the Hibakusha Appeal, which calls for the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons forever, and the U.N. Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons, which has yet to be signed and ratified by the United States.
Massachusetts-specific legislative initiatives the walk will address include nuclear weapons, arms sales to Saudi Arabia, creation of what is known as the “Peoples Budget,” and changing the state seal and its imagery of a Native American.
In addition, there will be a kick-off event held at the Unitarian Universalist Society Amherst on Wednesday, with a potluck dinner starting at 6 p.m. and community circles at 7 p.m.
During the final day of the walk next month, the participants will lead a procession to Capitol Hill, where U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, has reserved a room in the building for a presentation on shared security.
The New England Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist community of Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist Order located at 100 Cave Hill Road.
Bullock said anyone is welcome to walk for all or part of march. People can contact him to get more details by calling 413-485-8469, or sending email to walk4anewspring@gmail.com.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
