2022 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SEPTEMBER 21ST – CHESTER COUNTY PEACE MOVEMENT

Before the event began, John Scardino sang peace ballads backed up by Chris Barr as the folks began to gather for the 2022 International Day of Peace celebrated at the Old Courthouse steps in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

Folks gather On the Old Courthouse Steps in West Chester, PA, USA for the Celebration of 2022 International Day Of Peace. The theme this is “END RACISM. BUILD PEACE!”

The Chester County Peace Movement (CCPM) formed as a coalition of individuals in Pennsylvania in 2002 in response to the threat of war against Iraq and to establish a combined voice to express support of all efforts for world peace, and, more specifically, opposition to a war with Iraq.

Since 2002, CCPM has held weekly peace vigils on the corners of High and Market Streets in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, every Saturday from 11AM to 12 Noon. Everyone is welcome to join us!! There is no fee to join- just show up on any Saturday and join us!

Every September 21st CCPM commemorates the International Day of Peace which was started by the United Nations in 1981 as an annual observance of global non-violence and ceasefire. In 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared September 21st of every year as the permanent date to hold the International Day of Peace.

Chris Barr, President of the CCPM, was the Master of Ceremony, as he opened with a short history of the CCPM and introduced each speaker or performer.

Kevin Patrick Kelly was the first speaker. He is a member of the CCPM and a community activist. Kevin was instrumental in helping to organize the West Chester Borough Mayor’s Opoid Task Force in 2015. He continues to mentor families with addiction. He is an ardent supporter for peace and justice.

Rev. Dan Schatz, pastor at the Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, is a Grammy nominated folksinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, whose music combines deep roots in tradition with a strong sense of community and social justice.

Dr. Anjum Irfan was speaking on behalf of the Islamic Society of Chester County. The ISCC was founded in 1978 to provide facilities and an environment where Muslims of Chester County and surrounding areas could perform congregational prayers. In addition to providing a place of worship and educational activities, the ISCC promotes goodwill between Muslims and Non-Muslims.

Stephanie Phillips has been singing, playing guitar, and writing music from an early age. She has performed around the United States, including the NYC club scene- The SpeakEasy and the Village Gate. A particular highlight of her career was opening for the legendary EmmyLou Harris in the ’90’s. She describes her music as “progressive folk”.

Folks gather to hear the speakers and musicians at the 2022 West Chester Commemoration of the International Day of Peace hosted by the Chester County Peace Movement.

Erick Riddick is a community activist from Philadelphia who was wrongly convicted of murder and imprisoned for nearly 30 years. He was finally released from prison in May, 2021.

The Phoenixville Area High School Ensemble is conducted by Natalie James. It is an audition-only choral group. This ensemble meets weekly throughout the year and preps and practices music on their own outside of classes. The group covers a broad range of genres, while also focusing on traditional choral music from all historical periods. As part of their set, they sang “Imagine” by John Lennon and the crowd cried out for more.

Anne Moore was a life-long Quaker dedicated to practing peace daily. Both Anne and her husband, Tom, joined CPM shortly after its inception. Always the epitome of “peace”, Anne modeled peace everywhere she went, always walking over to CCPM’s opponents and standing on the opposite during its peace vigils and extending her hand, welcoming each to join the “Peace Corner” at any time. Anne passed away in January, 2019. To honor Anne and what she stood for, in 2020 CCPM began the annual presentation of the Anne Moore Peace Award.

This year’s recipient is the Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center in West Chester. To present the award was CCPM member, Andi Hubbard. Accepting the award for the Melton Center is Renee “Cookie” Washington, the Buildings and Grounds Manager.