ARK... Global Journeys for Young People to Build Peace
THE ARK MARCH from ARK Director, Judy Maghakian
On March 24, just days ago, thousands of people took to the streets, most of them young people with faces, minds and hearts much like the ARK FAMILY. There were over 500,000 in Washington DC with thousands of others spread across 800 cities in the USA alone. They were joined by hundreds in Rome, Berlin, London, and Tokyo, just to name a few international cities who said with them: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”, together we speak up for LIFE for ourselves, and all the children who are growing up behind us.
For me, it was an inspiration to listen to the words of young people who have committed themselves to changing the violence of killing into a society that cares. They will not stop MARCHING, SPEAKING and WORKING for a change into a world that cares, shares, walks in respect for all people. This has been the mission of the ARK FAMILY “building a bridge of trust through relationships and knowledge to promote peace.”
The most inspiring to me was EMMA GONZALES, a 17 year-old Parkland student and survivor who became an icon of the NEVER AGAIN movement after her moving, impassioned speech in Washington DC telling of the shooting that killed 17 of her class mates. She spoke briefly and then stood silent, the mass of Marchers stood silent with her. This 4 minute SILENCE SPOKE with power across the whole world. A SILENCE of pain, passion, commitment and urgency and maturity. I was deeply moved as was the mass of people who stood silent with her. It was a SILENCE that lifted MARCH FOR OUR LIVES with a profound purpose, energy and challenge to MARCH forward until the job is done.
I know that such MARCHING has been part of the journey of the ARK FAMILIES in Guatemala, Palestine, Iran, Pakistan and Lithuania. I was extremely appreciative of the comments of ELSA LEE, an ARK FAMILY member in the USA. You can read her comments with other ARK FAMILY members in the MARCH FOR OUR LIVES commitments of our ARK FAMILY.
I agree with the comment of Governor John Kasich of Ohio: “The MARCHERS must keep it up. They cannot let the steam out of the kettle. They must keep the pressure on to bring about change. If they do, change will come and all people will know the joy of MARCHING FOR OUR LIVES as a reality and celebration.”
This has always been the passion for ARK in my heart, mind and soul. I know the whole ARK FAMILY joins me in this passion and vision. And even though we are going through a messy time of political hate, keeping people out and estranged, I do believe A MARCH FOR OUR LIVES will stomp it out. Join with me in the stomping!
WITH LOVE AND STOMPING AS WE MARCH FOR OUR LIVES TOGETHER Judy Maghakian ~ ARK Director
FROM THE ARK FAMILY
PALESTINE
MARCH MARCH MARCH !!!!!
“Violence has broken out in Gaza with Israel once again. An ongoing agony. MARCH FOR OUR LIVES is an important movement around the world today. The question is where is the problem? Can we all make our home, cities, villages, schools safe? Can it be a security that works in making all society safe?
The People of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth celebrated this year The Holy Saturday and the light coming out from the tomb of the Holy Church. The light carried out to Bethlehem and other Christian towns with celebrations. May there be peace on earth as in heaven. Amen and amen. MARCH, MARCH, MARCH!!! ~ Sami Abu Ghazaleh
GUATEMALA
GRATEFUL FOR THE MARCH WITH ARK
You all know how difficult it has been for years for the Mayan people of San Lucas, Guatemala. We have been grateful that the ARK FAMILY has MARCHED WITH US and know we are worthy of LIFE. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! ~ Leonel Tum
PAKISTAN
MARCH FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS
I have been very encouraged by the work of ARK. Malala, the young woman for education for all was shot by those who did not like her message. But she survived and MARCHES FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. MARCH WITH HER. Malala came to Pakistan this week and hundreds MARCHED FOR MILES TO HEAR HER SPEAK. We do have hope! ~ Ehastham Anwar
IRAN
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD
I work for the young people of Iran getting them jobs. I appreciate the British Embassy which works for them. Please know that the young people of Iran MARCH FOR OUR LIVES FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD. MARCH WITH THEM. ~ Kumars Tootsie
LITHUANIA MARCH WITH US
As Trump met this week with leaders from the Baltic States, Putin was making plans for war. Let us be aware that leaders like Putin and Trump must not control the future. We in Lithuania MARCH FOR OUR LIVES every day, be aware of what is happening here and MARCH WITH US.” ~ Dalia Kiseliunaite
USA MARCH FOR OUR LIVES WITH ENERGY AND CREATIVITY
“I was glad to be able to attend the MARCH FOR OUR LIVES in St. Paul at the Capitol, AND I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE ENERGY AND CREATIVITY OF ALL THESE YOUNG PEOPLE. In a world that seems so hopeless much of the time, I was so encouraged by being surrounded by people taking ownership over the society we live in. I was completely inspired. We have a duty to protect our youngest citizens, and make their places of education safe and nurturing, so they can grow into the people this world needs them to be.”
~ Elsa Lee
FIRST COVENANT CHURCH on EMERGING MOVEMENTS
from Rev. Dr. Cornell, Covenant Church in New York City
With all that is happening around the area, the City, the nation, and the world, I am reminded that Jesus' seven last words were merely brief interruptions of His courageous stillness, experienced in silence. "Be still and know that I am Lord." What may have come across as silence is a pursuit of stillness.
I am encouraged by the energy, diversity, youthfulness, and sincerity of the emerging movements. However, I am fully convicted by the stillness, which quieted the day Hope was crucified. And on the third day...
APRIL SEED PROJECT
WHAT DOES THE “MARCH FOR OUR LIVES” MEAN TO YOUR HOME, VILLAGE, CITY, SCHOOL, COUNTRY?
MAKE A MARCHING LIST AND WRITE A MARCHING SONG TO SING. CREATE A VIDEO TO SHARE AT OUR NEXT GATHERING.
MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH
Send your ideas and suggestions to: mag@arkforpeace.org.
