Greg Bautista, all day
(770) 297-7755
cell phone (770) 654-3949
email

On the Internet --- https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/  

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PEACE MARCH
======================
The Peace March was started in 1998 by a group of youth in Gainesville. The youth had noted the existence of violence in their schools, and gang violence in the streets, including drive-by murders. The youth decided to organize a march to protest against these problems and promote a message of peace.

The youth met with many local residents as well as leaders at St. Michael Catholic Church and the Newtown Florist Club (a civil rights organization founded by African-Americans in Gainesville to advocate for the interests and rights of all people). The youth received plenty of support from the Newtown Florist Club, St. Michael church, local business owners and other members of the community.

After planning and promoting their idea, the youth finally saw their idea become a reality as they celebrated the first Peace March on September 19, 1998. During the Peace March a significant number of ex-gang members participated and made a commitment for peace, and officials from the City and County governments made a commitment to more facilities for youth.

The next year the youth once again noticed several problems in Gainesville, Hall County and decided to take a stand. They were bothered by incidents of racial profiling* and saw a great need for more parks and recreational facilities, where youth could spend their time doing positive things such as playing sports. And so the youth decided to march once again, but this time they wrote a petition to governmental leaders asking for action. They asked for more parks and requested the adoption of official policies against racial profiling.

* Racial profiling is a type of discrimination that occurs when police stop a vehicle only because the driver is a member of a minority, and not because the driver has committed a crime or done something wrong.

Also, in the second year (1999) the youth noticed that the Ku Klux Klan was becoming more and more visible in Gainesville. The youth learned that this hate group wanted to march in Gainesville on Halloween, and that they were going to hide their faces behind Halloween masks (even though the U.S. Supreme Court prohibits the Klan from hiding behind masks in public settings). The youth decided to march the weekend of Halloween, and effectively prevented the KKK from being able to march that day and hide their identity. This why the date of the Peace March was moved to late October.

The youth celebrated this second Peace March on October 30, 1999. They constructed four altars on the square as part of the "Día de los Muertos" celebration (Day of the Dead). One of the altars was dedicated to the late General Longstreet of the U.S. Civil War, for his support of equality of all people.

The second Peace March was a big success with the presence of approximately 1000 participants, marching for more recreational facilities and parks, and protesting the various different types of racism and discrimination (such as the KKK and racial profiling).

Apparently (and fortunately) during the second year local leaders listened to the feelings, desires and requests of the youth, as Gainesville City Police Chief Frank Hooper approved an official, written policy prohibiting the practice of racial profiling by Gainesville City police officers.

The Peace March is now in its third year. It will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28, 2000. This year the Peace March will be a celebration of unity, cultural diversity, harmony, peace and collaboration, under the theme of "Many Faces in the City of God."

We will continue to promote the need for more parks and recreational facilities, sports facilities and other such places where youth can spend their time positively since there still remains a strong need for action on this issue. We will once again celebrate the Day of the Dead on the same day as the day of the march with altars on the downtown square.

WHERE AND WHEN
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The Peace March will occur Saturday, October 28, 2000 in Gainesville, Hall County. We will assemble at 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Bank of America on Washington Street. At 12:00 noon we will begin marching south on Washington Street, headed toward the downtown square. We will circle the square and then take Spring Street to the Arts Council Depot, where there will be celebration, entertainment, music and lots of fun.

THE GRAN FINALE:
PICNIC-STYLE CELEBRATION
======================
The March will end at the Arts Council Depot, where everyone is invited to bring picnic basket and blanket, to relax on the lawn in front of the stage while enjoying the celebration. Please note: Absolutely no alcohol will be permitted.

PLEASE HELP!
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For the on-stage program, we welcome small and large singing ensembles, complete church choirs, motivational speakers, musicians, guitar players, keyboard players, percussion, dramatic/theatrical presentations, individual singers and dance groups. All presentations should relate to the theme of "Many Faces in the City of God." This theme covers such topics as unity, harmony, diversity, open dialogue, teamwork and so forth. Any talents you have to offer will be much appreciated! If you want to be included in the program, you must complete an Application for Stage Time and fax or mail your completed application by Friday, October 20th so that we can give you a specific time slot in the program schedule. Fax: (770) 297-9050. Mailing Address: Peace March Committee, 1502 Carter Street, Suite 205, Gainesville, GA 30501. For more information: Greg Bautista (770) 297-7755, cell phone (770) 654-3949, email  . Also, please visit our web site for more information about the Peace March:

https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/

DID YOU KNOW?
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• The Peace March was designed as an event for all of our entire multi-cultural community to enjoy, and not just for members of one or two cultures. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come and participate.
• The Peace March is completely non-partisan and non-political.
• Although many churches and religious groups participate, the Peace March is not an evangelical movement or an attempt to recruit persons to any particular church or religion. It is our hope that everyone will feel welcome and comfortable attending the Peace March, regardless of his or her religious beliefs.
• The Peace March is a 100% non-profit event.
  

RESOURCES YOU CAN FIND ON OUR WEB SITE:
======================

Articles:
https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/articles.html  

Photographs from the Peace March:
https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/fotos.html

7 Suggestions for How You Can Participate:
https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/help/  

Our Official Flier
(available September 15, 2000):
https://peacemarch2000.tripod.com/flier.doc

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