Five DC/Baltimore area mindfulness communities, practicing in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, are organizing a silent, meditative walk for peace at 3PM on Sunday, June 23, in Washington DC. We will meet outside the Smithsonian metro north exit in front of the Smithsonian castle and then walk along the mall to the west lawn of the Capitol, finishing at the Peace Monument. Our walk will happen on the same day as similar peace walks organized in London, New York, and other cities. We will walk rain or shine.

We will be walking for peace because of our reverence for life and our belief that every human being is sacred and worthy of protection. Our hearts are shattered by the horrific loss of lives and the destruction of families and communities caused by armed conflicts in Israel and Palestine, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere. We walk to end all violence and killing.

The event will open with prayer. Then we will begin a silent, slow, and meditative walk. Our walk will remain peaceful and non-confrontational at all times, without any intent of threatening or disrupting others.

We encourage walkers to wear cultural mourning clothing to acknowledge the huge loss of lives and wide-spread trauma caused by armed conflicts. We ask that participants not bring banners, placards, or flags.

We urge citizens and world leaders to support non-violence, reconciliation, and negotiations leading to a just peace for all.

We hope you will join us.

Updated information will be available here. If you have any questions about the walk, you can write to us at Walking4Peace2Freedom@gmail.com.

The June 23rd Peace Walk Planning Team

Sponsoring Communities: Baltimore and Beyond Mindfulness Community, Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax, Opening Heart Mindfulness Community, Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center, Washington Mindfulness Community.