For two days, on March 30 and 31, a group undertaking a “Walk for a Nuclear Free Future 2010″ was hosted by peace groups in Ithaca, New York. Members of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s local ”Chapter of the Southern Tier” took part in the planning and organization, with associates from the Catholic Worker, The Friends’ Committee on Peace and others.
The pilgrimage began March 6 in the Cold Spring Territory of the Seneca Nation in western New York and will be winding through much of the state, with frequent stops for rallies and vigils along the route. The walk ends in New York City in time for a major anti-nuclear rally at the United Nations on May 2. On May 3, 190 nations begin a crucial conference at the U.N. on nuclear weapons.
The Walk for a Nuclear Free Future 2010 is the brain child of Jun Yasuda, a Buddhist nun of the Nipponzan Myohoji order. Yasuda, a Japanese born Peace Pilgrim, has lived in the United States for twenty years and spends many months each year on the road, walking for peace.
On March 30, Yasuda and Frida Berrigan, daughter of Philip Berrigan, the renowned peace activist, spoke to assembled supporters. On March 31, an interfaith service was held at the Ithaca Baptist Church, following a home-cooked meal for the walkers. The vigil for a nuclear free future featured Buddhist drumming and chanting, a flute meditation, a Water Ceremony designed by the Grandmothers of Native Peoples, Silence, Prayers, Singing in Hebrew and English, and a Give Away of Peace.
