Woodstock '99 Peace Message
Proclamation from Mayor of Rome, New York
One of the most important things to happen at the now controversial
Woodstock 30th Anniversary Concert, July 23-25, 1999, was the three minute
appearance on stage, with Global Peace Walk initiator and Zen Buddhist Monk
Rev. Yusen Yamato, in "Prime Time" Saturday evening, of the Mayor of the
City of Rome, New York, Joseph A. Griffo, to read aloud and present The
Message for this occasion, his (below) Mayoral Proclamation of Rome, NY, as
a Global Peace Zone, in support of the prayer for "Global Peace Now!" as a
universal human resolve and of Global Peace Walk 2000 being conducted to
carry this prayer, and the message of the real Culture of Peace and Love
embodying the true "Spirit of Woodstock", next year from San Francisco to
Washington, DC, to New York City for the United Nations 55th anniversary,
October 24, 2000. http://www.globalpeacenow.org
Thanks to Woodstock organizer Michael Lang and his staff for helping to
facilitate this historic offering by Mayor Griffo and for inviting Rev.
Yamato's participation at Woodstock '99. It is unfortunate that the other
organizers did not agree with Mr. Lang to accept Rev. Yamato's offer to
conduct an opening and closing prayer ceremony for the event and to help
instill the "Global Peace Now!" message in all who attended, but the mayor's
proclamation clearly embodies the highest ideals of the Spirit of Woodstock,
and the Global Peace Walk project begun with the walk from New York to San
Francisco in 1995 for the United Nations 50th anniversary at which time the
Secretary General issued his call for everyone around the globe to help
develop a Culture of Peace.
Responding to this call and to President Clinton's message on that occasion
for all citizens to reaffirm the ideals of the original UN charter to
eliminate the scourge of war from the future generations, Global Peace Wallk
2000 will be carrying its myriad letters and proclamations of support, along
with all survival issue messages, to foster a genuine Culture of Peace
through universal acceptance of the firm resolve for "Global Peace Now!".
As stated in the 1995 letter of support from American Indian Movement
spiritual leader and U.S. political prisoner, Leonard Peltier, "Global
Peace Now is critical to the survival of the human race. Collectively, we
have been apathetic to the state of our neighbors and the deteriorating
condition of our Earth Mother for too long. Global Peace Now is not just
an invitation, it is a great cry for us to open our eyes and ears, to use
our
heads and hands and create the kinds of change that will save the
planet and all who live and breathe upon Her."
The text of the Rome mayor's proclamation is as follows:
[seal of the city of Rome, New York]
The City of Rome, New York
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS: The Global Peace Walk project was initiated in 1995, with its walk
from New York City to San Francisco, to commemorate the United Nations 50th
anniversary by offering the prayer for "Global Peace Now!" as a universal
human resolve; and
WHEREAS: The anniversary message by the United Nations Secretary General
called for the "Development of a Culture of Peace" and 1995 began the United
Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS: The Woodstock Concert's 30th anniversary celebration will be
taking place in Rome, New York, July 23-25, 1999, to foster the development
of a Culture of Peace and Love through popular music. The initiator of the
Global Peace Walk project will participate at the opening ceremony with
local spiritual practitioners; and
WHEREAS: The Global Peace Project has honored Rome by inviting this city to
be New York's first GLOBAL PEACE ZONE. We hope to deliver a message of
peace all over the world, by uniting people regardless of race, religions,
ideologies, and countries.
NOW THEREFORE; I, Joseph A. Griffo, by virtue of the authority vested in me
as Mayor of the City of Rome, do hereby proclaim Rome, New York, as a:
"GLOBAL PEACE ZONE"
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and cause the official seal of the
City of Rome, to be affixed this day.
[signature]
Joseph A. Griffo
Mayor, City of Rome
[official city seal affixed]
Global Peace Walk Website
Partial list of Global Peace Walk support letters and proclamations
GEAR Homepage
GEAR Global Peace Walk homepage