Dozens of people have marched through Penrith town centre today in a mass vigil for peace.
Around 80 people of all ages and nationalities gathered this morning in the grounds of Christ Church, Penrith, for readings, poem, prayers, music, song and silent contemplation.
The event, initiated by the Penrith and Eden Refugee Network, was held in recognition of the war in Ukraine, and conflict around the world.
Many wore Ukrainian badges and some in bright yellow clothing in recognition of its national flag and sunflower – with artwork on display including a Mandala, which represents an ideal world; and Buddhist prayer flags to promote peace.
Alongside people of migrant status, church, business, political and community leaders took part.
They included Eden District Council leader Virginia Taylor, councillor Ali Ross, local MP Neil Hudson, and Emily Atherton, editor of The Cumberland & Westmorland Herald.
Holding a large banner of Vigil For Peace, the mass procession, supervised by a police community support officer, walked silently through the town to the solemn beat of a djembe drum played by network member Fiona Johnson, of Penrith.
Ms Johnson also read poems written by young people from Syria, Mali and Afghanistan, and played a recording of music by the late Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk.
The crowd gathered in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church where musician Peter Rowan led people in singing “peace salaam shalom” as they held hands, while the Rev Canon Peter Clement also spoke.
Sarah Wilson, chair of Penrith and Eden Refugee Network, gave thanks to those who attended and urged people to remember other global war zones and places of oppression such as Russia, Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Kurdistan, Myanmar, Israel and Palestine.
Sarah told the gathering: “We want peace and freedom from oppression for each and every person on this planet. Coming together in solidarity for peace is what we can do. We are not powerless and nothing can extinguish love and peace in this world, and we won’t let it.”
Afterwards she said the event had showed a clear desire for peace and love by the people of Penrith.
Sarah said: “I’d like to thank the whole community for coming together. Everybody chose their own different way of making offerings with music and words – and all that can’t be said, but is felt in silence.”
