Ohio Nonviolence Week is Oct. 4 through Oct. 10

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, the city, city schools, Community Initiative to Reduce Violence, the YSU Office of Student Diversity Activities, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and the Martin Luther King Planning Committee are planning the Fifth Nonviolence Parade and Rally for 3 p.m. Oct. 4.

The parade will kick off Ohio Nonviolence Week, Oct. 4-10, and will begin at the corner of Wick Avenue and Wood Street and proceed downtown to the Covelli Centre on Front Street.

The rally will follow.

The purpose of the parade is to make members of the community pause and think about the need for all of us to work for nonviolence in our community. In the words of Congressman John Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

The parade is open to all nonprofit organizations such as youth groups, athletic teams, church groups and neighborhood block-watch groups as well as businesses and government officials.

There will be awards for the group with the best banner and the group with the best float that carries out the theme of nonviolence and peace. There also will be a rotating trophy for the best overall presentation for peace and nonviolence. There is no fee to participate in the parade.

Those who would like to participate by walking, driving a car/truck or creating a float must return the registration form by Sept. 15.

Registration forms are available by emailing Penny Wells at pennywwells@sbcglobal.net, by phoning 330-788-0545 or by contacting the Youngstown State University’s Office of Student Diversity Activities.

Registration forms should be returned to Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, 4117 Oak Knoll Drive, Youngstown, OH 44512.