Peace Rally 2020
The ISC Justice and Witness Team presented a Peace Rally at the ISC office in Highland last Saturday, July 25 from 10 am to 12 pm. Although the turnout was less than expected, the program and heartfelt messages were moving and reflected the healing that is hoped for throughout the United States and the world. People were requested to wear masks and practice social-distancing.
Participants had an opportunity to publicly lament things that tormented their souls, such as the discord in our country, the possibility of young black sons, grandsons and brothers being killed, and removing old records that have been playing in our heads that perpetuate the systemic racism that our country was founded upon.
The group held a time of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to remind us of the time that George Floyd was held without breath and to think about the problems surrounding the system. As names of fallen black brothers and sisters were called a bell was rung to honor their lives.
Barbara VanAusdall and Dave Shanks performed and led songs that reminded us of the peace we all strive for and the struggle to reach that peace.
It was a beautiful, public declaration of the Illinois South Conference's desire to bring peace and justice to all communities.
