Peace Road Baltimore ‘Opens Many Possibilities’
“Peace Road is a global goodwill project of UPF that aims to tear down the walls that have historically divided us — racism and cultural differences, prejudice and fear — and bring humankind together as one family under God,” said Tomiko Duggan, senior vice president of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
UPF organizers teamed up with Kingdom Life Church, the Greater Baltimore Muslim Council, and Safe Streets for the final stop of the U.S. Peace Road 2021 program September 18, where local faith leaders, government officials, community members and students gathered in Baltimore.
“Peace Road was originally inspired by the International Highway Project (IHP), a visionary call for a superhighway free of tariffs and passports, linking the entire globe,” said Duggan. “Peace Road cyclists have toured cities, states and regions to publicize the international peace highway in more than 30 nations, from South Africa to Chile, Germany to Korea, and in 25 cities across America.”
In Baltimore, 40 bicyclists escorted by police traveled a near 10-mile route from the Holy Ground in Druid Hill to city hall and the Brooklyn neighborhood at the southernmost point of the city — a trek that Duggan called memorable and historic.
“Our Peace and Unity Bike Ride through the city on September 18 marks an historic occasion for Unificationists who, on that date in 1976, joined Rev. Moon as he addressed more than 300,000 people during his ‘God’s Hope for America’ speech in celebration of the nation’s bicentennial at the Washington Monument.”
A few years later, in 1981, the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founders of UPF, proposed the concept of Peace Road.
“The bike ride was a monumental step forward in bringing peace and unity to the diverse communities of Baltimore,” said Rev. Randall Francis, a coordinator from the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC). “The beauty of Druid Hill Lake Park and the Holy Ground that the UPF’s founders established in 1965 was spectacular. As we traveled south, people throughout the streets were waving and cheering us on.”
Aisha Khan, state commissioner on Asian affairs and her husband, executive director of the Greater Baltimore Muslim Council, shared remarks at city hall encouraging Peace Road participants, which included their children, to create safe and peaceful streets in Baltimore.
“It was a beautiful event, riding past the Maryland Institute College of Art, the University of Baltimore, the Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and up to the city hall square,” said participant Nicholas Kernan. “After hearing words of encouragement from pastors and community leaders, we continued biking near the Inner Harbor and over the Patapsco River to our final destination. It was an incredible ride promoting world peace and a whale of a good time!”
The peace riders enjoyed barbeque at the Kingdom Life Church in Brooklyn before hearing words from senior pastor Rev. John Watts and local councilwoman Phylicia R.I. Porter.
“Peace Road in Baltimore opened up many possibilities for my community,” said Rev. Watts. “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to service his people through this event. It is our mission to partner with community members to support and enhance the level of interdependence necessary to create long-term sustainable peace.”
We “It was a beautiful day and opportunity to bring greater awareness to the cause of peace,” said UPF Senior Vice President Duggan.
Peace Road 2021 also had simultaneous events in Canada September 19, with participants biking in Quebec and Vancouver.
You can learn more about Peace Road here.
