A March for Peace will take place in downtown Maple Ridge on the Saturday before Christmas.
The march will start at 2 p.m. on Dec. 23, and is the latest in a series of events organized by Maple Ridge Friends for Peace.
This time, they are directly calling on local government members to attend their event.
“Maple Ridge Mayor [Dan Ruimy] and council was one of the first municipal governments in Canada to call for a ceasefire in Gaza,” said Sharon Von Hollen, one of the organizers. “We have specifically invited them to take the opportunity to join in the Peace March to continue their activities on behalf of peace.”
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Maple Ridge council unanimously passed a motion calling for ceasefire in Gaza at the council meeting of Nov. 14.
The peace group has previously held two candlelight vigils, submitted a petition to local MP Marc Dalton, and organized a rally in front of Dalton’s office.
READ ALSO: Maple Ridge tells Trudeau to call for ceasefire in Gaza
The group believes the need for citizens to advocate for peace continues.
“Humanitarian catastrophes caused by war are ongoing, most obviously in Gaza,” said Oosha Ramsoondar, another of the organizers.
“Although many political leaders in Canada have begun to recognize the need to join citizens in calling for negotiated solutions, we believe that it’s important to keep getting the message across.”
The march will start at Memorial Peace Park, just off 224th Street, and wind its way around downtown Maple Ridge for about an hour.
The event is non-partisan and non-denominational. All people who wish to add their voice to support a call for peace are welcome.
Placards and signs with a general theme of peace are welcome.
More information is available at the Maple Ridge Friends for Peace Facebook page.
READ ALSO: Dozens attend peace vigil in Maple Ridge