Members of Roots and Shoots fly giant peace dove puppets in a parade during the 7th annual Day of Peace festival at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, September 20, 2009. Seventy-five handmade giant doves, each with a 25-foot wingspan, participated in the Peace Dove Parade.
.Each year, in support of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Roots & Shoots members and friends come together to promote peace. All over the world, young people craft Giant Peace Dove Puppets from reused materials and fly the Doves in parades in their communities. From the Pier in Santa Monica, to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the low plains of Kansas, Peace Doves fly, held high by hopeful hands. Symbolizing international peace and solidarity, the Day of Peace festival on Santa Monica Pier culminated with a Giant Peace Dove Parade. Celebrities, Roots & Shoots members, and event-goers joined together to fly a collection of hand-made giant doves along the Santa Monica Pier parade route. Simultaneously, Peace Doves flew in cities all across the United States and in close to 100 countries worldwide.
“With the peace doves we remind everyone of the truth they sometimes forget – that peace is possible. With Day of Peace, we celebrate all that is free and noble in the human spirit. And we celebrate all that so many people have done throughout the year and will do next year to create a better world.” Jane Goodall, PhD, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.
“With the peace doves we remind everyone of the truth they sometimes forget – that peace is possible. With Day of Peace, we celebrate all that is free and noble in the human spirit. And we celebrate all that so many people have done throughout the year and will do next year to create a better world.” Jane Goodall, PhD, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.
Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook