By Matthew Albrecht

On November 20, 2009 a small band of marchers will set out from Toronto, Ontario and make their way in a 9-day, 130-mile journey to Buffalo, NY, crossing over the Peace Bridge that connects Canada to the USA. The “Peace Bridge Walk” will serve to raise awareness of some of the many issues of concern to both countries: the abolition of nuclear weapons, the war in Afghanistan, and war resisters living in Canada.

The Peace Bridge Walk is one of the main activities for the Canadian component of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, a grassroots global initiative of the Humanist Movement and World Without Wars. The WM4PNV aims to raise awareness of the dangerous global situation in which we are living, marked by the heightened probability of nuclear conflict, the arms race, and the violent military occupation of territories.

Backed by the endorsements of the Dalai Lama, the Presidents of Argentina and Chile, Abolition 2000, Mayors for Peace, and many others, World March activities like the Peace Bridge Walk are now spreading across Canada, the USA, and in over 100 countries worldwide.

One global activity will be the symbolic journey by an international team that will travel through more than 90 countries. Setting out from New Zealand on October 2, 2009 (International Day of Nonviolence), this symbolic March will arrive in NYC on November 30, 2009, spend three days in the USA, then travel to Mexico and eventually to its final destination in Punta de Vacas, Argentina.

The Peace Bridge Walk is scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on November 29, and will then make its way to NYC in time to greet the international team.

“The Peace Bridge was named in tribute to the 100 years of peace between the USA and Canada. Let’s now make it serve as an emblem of Canadians and Americans working together for international peace and nonviolence,” says Roberto Verdecchia, Canadian Spokesperson for the World March.

There is still much organizing to be done for the Peace Bridge Walk, so if you’d like to help or get involved on either side of the border, please contact Roberto Verdecchia at  peacebridge@worldmarch.ca.

To endorse the World March, or for more info, visit www.worldmarchusa.net.