Candlelight Vigil for Peace in response to recent violence, Wed, 7:30, Powderhorn Park

Powderhorn Park responds to recent spate of violence with peace-making events
and awareness

Neighborhood residents come together to organize a “Peace in Powderhorn” vigil
on December 1 and a Safety Brainstorming Meeting for December 2

November 28, 2010 (MINNEAPOLIS) - Powderhorn Park residents have come together
to organize “Peace in Powderhorn,” an event to honor those affected by violence
and reclaim Powderhorn Park and all of the things that make the neighborhood
unique: art, music, creativity, diversity, acceptance, and peace.

On Wednesday, December 1, at 7:30pm, exactly one week after the tragic events
occurred in Powderhorn Park, residents and friends of the community will gather
at 32nd St. and 14th Ave. S., in the northeast corner of Powderhorn Park, for a
celebration of Powderhorn. Everyone is encouraged to bring music, art, puppets,
laughter, hope, food…In other words, they are encouraged to reclaim the park
and celebrate the strengths of the artful, diverse, and loving community.

A moving statement from the woman who was sexually accosted in the park is
testament to the Powderhorn community’s commitment to peace—and its desire to
understand, heal, and grow from such tragic events.

“Please take this [vigil] as an opportunity to celebrate our riches. I would
love it if people came out to sing, dance, ski, sled, play Frisbee, etc. Let's
make it a celebration of our community and our park! At one point the boys [who
accosted us] asked for our skis. I wish they could have taken them and used
them and experienced the pure joy of gliding in the fresh snow, getting winded
from exertion and breathing in cool, fresh air. Please send them all the love
you can muster. I think they really need it.”

Please join us on Wednesday evening to honor her words, celebrate our riches,
and reclaim the park that is famous for the May Day Parade; fireworks; fishing;
Empty Bowls; art sleds, picnics; skiing; baseball; soccer; sledding; yoga; and
neighborhood gatherings of strength, peace, and love.

And on Thursday, December 2, please join us at the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood
Association at 6:30pm for a Safety Brainstorming Gathering, where we will
discuss ways we can use our strengths and creativity to make the neighborhood a
safer place for everyone to live and thrive. Ideas so far have included
dog-walking groups; neighborhood monitors; park patrols; community chants and
meditations for healing; and yoga and youth newspaper classes. All ideas are
welcome and will serve to make this diverse community even stronger.

In addition to inviting Powderhorn friends and community members to the vigil
and meeting, residents would also like to encourage donations to the family of
Guadalupe Galeno Hernandez, the 12-year-old girl who was shot in the neck on
November 12. Guadalupe is likely paralyzed by the drive-by shooting and her
family needs your love and support.
http://helpguadalupe.com/

For more, please see the impact statement from the survivor of the attacks in
the park on Thanksgiving Eve:

http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls-poho/messages/topic/4KnRy251CLqTpJkqrsDsXq