WR Nonviolence – Page 2 – WR Nonviolence

Exhibitor Registration for the 16th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park 2020 is now open!

WR Nonviolence 23 March 2022 18 March 2020

We regret announcing that our 16th Nonviolence Day in the Park (2020) will be cancelled. We felt that there is too much uncertainty in the coming weeks and months.
WR Nonviolence continues to meet virtually every Tuesday to plan our way forward. Contact us if you’d like to join the discussion – how can we communicate the importance of nonviolence during our current pandemic?

~~Join us for the the 16th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park on Roos Island in Victoria Park! We’ll be practicing safe distancing. Masks are welcome! Let’s be safe.~~

~~There will be games, music, info booths from community groups, local arts and crafts vendors, spiritual and well-being exhibitions, and so much more.~~

If you belong to a community group or organization that follows the principles of Nonviolence please join us as an exhibitor! No charge for non-profit organizations! $30 for businesses, or organization selling things.

Who: Everybody!
What: 16th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park
When: Noon to 5:00pm on Saturday September 26, 2020
Where: Roos Island, Victoria Park, Kitchener, Ontario Map

~~Poster~~

#COVID19 response from @WRNonviolence

WR Nonviolence 11 June 2020 17 March 2020

Hello Friends: In our own efforts at social distancing, we’re cancelling our regular Tuesday night meetings until further notice.

The Viewpoints on Incarceration forum originally scheduled for 28 April 2020 is postponed; a new date will be announced later.

Planning for the Nonviolence Day In The Park continues. A new date, likely in September, will be announced soon! ~~The date is unchanged, taking place on Saturday, 18 July 2020~~ from Noon to 5:00pm. Registration for exhibitors is now open!

Thank you for your continued support!

–Waterloo Region Nonviolence.

Viewpoints: Issues Facing Refugees

WR Nonviolence 20 February 2020 20 February 2020

Join us for an inclusive evening with a panel presentation, group discussion, and personal action to achieve nonviolent solutions for people seeking refugee status.

Viewpoints forums try to bring the perspectives of a person with lived experience, a facilitator working in the field, an academic, and a policy maker.

There will be a Question and Answer session after the panel presentation, then we will break into groups with each panelist to discuss common themes and solutions. A spokesperson from each group will then report back to everyone.

The Viewpoints forums are being recorded for release as podcasts. You can listen to previous podcast episodes and view pictures of past Viewpoints forums.

Panel Presentations

Tony Van Giessen, Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support
Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts, Wilfrid Laurier University
…other speakers to be announced

Public Small-Group Discussion

Planning A Positive Way Forward

Everyone is invited to contribute their experiences, dreams, and unique perspectives.
When: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Queen Street Commons Café
Location: 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Map

https://wrnonviolence.org
contact@wrnonviolence.org

Download the poster (PDF document, 151.7 kBytes)

Season’s Greetings! No meetings on Holiday Eves!

WR Nonviolence 15 December 2019 14 December 2019

WR Nonviolence wishes everyone a happy holiday, and best wishes for the season!

Our last two regular Tuesday evening meetings in 2019 fall on Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Years Eve (31 December), and so we’ll be spending the time at home with family and friends. Regular meetings resume on Tuesday, 7 January 2020!

What: Regular Meeting for @WRNonviolence
When: Every Tuesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Queen Street Commons Café
Location: 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Map

WR Nonviolence Day In The Park interviews on @RadioWaterloo CKMS-FM 102.7 #CommunityConnections

WR Nonviolence 3 August 2019 3 August 2019

Jenniefer Stronge came to the Nonviolence Day In The Park on Saturday, 20 July 2019 and interviewed a performer: Bobcat Bartolo and the Liberation; a visitor: Scott Heer; an exhibitor: Mo Markham (KW Animal Save, KW Climate Save); and the organizer, our very own Matthew Albrecht!

The interview aired on Monday, 29 July 2019 on the CKMS Community Connections show. It starts at 4m20s.

Download: ckms-community-connections-2019-07-29.mp3 (165 MiBytes, 1h59m55s)

Pictures from the 15th Annual WRNonviolence Day In The Park

WR Nonviolence 21 July 2019

On Saturday, 20 July 2019 WR Nonviolence held the 15^th Annual Day In The Park. There were community group exhibitors, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ games, meditation and an area for reflection, a labyrinth, and performers all day long in the Gazebo. It was sunny and hot, and everyone had a good time!

A tent with a sign Carnival Games, with people walking in front — Carnival Games

Bob Jonkman and Willem Jonkman at the Welcome Table — WRN DITP Volunteers at the Welcome Table; photo by the Rotary Club of Kitchener

Kids playing with carnival toys in the Fun Zone while an adult supervises — In the Fun Zone

Two people playing guitar in the Gazebo — The Boys and I (unplugged)

Looking into the Amnesty International booth from the side, with visitors reading and signing petitions — Amnesty International Group Nine is busy

Looking through one tent from behind onto another across the path — Basic Income Waterloo Region in the foreground, Waterloo Federal Liberal Association in the background

people in front of the exhibit booth for Interfaith Grand River — Interfaith Grand River

Two vendors at exhibit booths laden with crafts — Vendors Susan Wilmot with Critters and Pauline Finch selling Paulines Things

Two men staff the LibreStreets booth while visitors look at the material — LibreStreets gives away Free Culture

People walking along the labryrinth rope with a sign on labyrinths to the left — Walking the Labyrinth

Two people standing in front of the Gazebo listening to the performers — Listening to concerts

Children sitting on the steps to the Gazebo with drumsticks while their Dad looks on, with the Acoustic Steel Band in the background — Playing along with the Acoustic Steel Band

People at the Islamic Information Centre booth — Islamic Information Centre

Two dancers in the Gazebo — Arisha School of Dance – Two Dancers

Two men playing guitar in the Gazebo — Bobcat Bartolo and the Liberation (unplugged)

People sitting beside the Gazebo (off-screen) watching a performance — Enjoying the performance

People dancing in front of the Gazebo while the Acoustic Steel Band performs — Acoustic Steel – Music to dance by

A tent with arts and crafts supplies, kids at the table, and adults behind — Arts and Crafts in the Fun Zone

People in the KW Animal Save booth — KW Animal Save

Dance instructor in the foreground, with dance students behind, in the Gazebo — Arisha School of Dance

People and canopies along the pathway — Exhibitors Alley

You can see more pictures from the 15th Annual Day In The Park in our Photo Gallery.

WRNonviolence Day In The Park on CTV News

WR Nonviolence 21 July 2019 21 July 2019

Stephanie Villella from CTV News in Kitchener came to the 15th Annual WR Nonviolence Day In The Park on Saturday, 20 July 2019, and interviewed Matthew Albrecht:

CTV News Kitchener – Raising awareness about the power of peace

From the CTV News Kitchener article: Nonviolence Day in the Park spreads message of peace

CTV Kitchener
Published Saturday, July 20, 2019 7:51PM EDT

Be peaceful and polite to your neighbours.

This was the message of those attending the 15th Nonviolence Day in the Park.

“Those little times when you feel like you’re objectified are not acceptable,” said Waterloo Region Nonviolence cofounder Matthew Albrecht. “An economic system that keeps people enslaved is not acceptable.

“Anywhere I look there’s an answer of nonviolence and a solution of how things can get better.”

Organizations and initiatives from across the region gathered in Victoria Park Saturday to share these ideas and educate people how to make a change without resorting to violence.

Meditation and religious groups were just two of the options participants learned about at the event.

Albrecht says growing up being bullied in school made him realize violence wasn’t the answer.

He adds that it all comes down to the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.

“It’s that dividing line between good and bad,” said Albrecht. “We want to make that clear: don’t treat others like an object.”

You can see more pictures from the 15th Annual Day In The Park in our Photo Gallery.

WR Nonviolence Day In The Park: Noon to 5:00pm, Saturday 20 July 2019

WR Nonviolence 14 July 2019 14 July 2019

Join us for the 15th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park from Noon to 5:00pm on Saturday, 20 July 2019 on Roos Island on Victoria Park.

Come early at 11:30am and hear Bob Bortolo and the Liberation perform in the Gazebo as the exhibitors are setting up their information tables!

Download the poster (204 kBytes)

Do you belong to a Community Group? Register now for an exhibitor booth!

Music, Yoga, Meditation and More at the @WRNonviolece #DayInThePark

WR Nonviolence 11 July 2019 30 June 2019

Saturday, 20 July 2019 from Noon to 5:00pm!

We’ve got a great lineup of talent at the 15^th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park! There are returning guests, and brand new acts:

Area of Reflection

Walk the Labyrinth – Enjoy yoga, meditation and Zentangle sessions.
Pick your fortune – Express your Gratitude on our Gratitude Tree.

In Our Zen Den

Kundalini Yoga

Three separate sessions of Kundalini Yoga
12:00pm , 12:30pm , 1:00pm – Presented by Peggy McIntosh
Sessions are 20-25 minutes each.

Peggy will offer Anger-tempering and temper cooling sessions in Breath work, Movement and Meditation from the Kundalini Yoga Tradition, as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

Zentangle

2:00 PM : – Presented by Tina Coutts

“The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.” – Zentangle Headquarters

T-Untangling offers the Zentangle method as a way to mindfully focus on the moment, relieving stress and bringing relaxation “one stroke at a time.”

Laughter Yoga

2:00 pm: – Presented by Karen Lord

Please meet by the Labyrinth for this yoga session.

Mandalas

3:00 pm: – Presented by Tina Coutts

Mandalas: Explore simple, basic, techniques to create your own mandalas. Mandalas can be found through out many cultures, expressing spirituality and mindfulness. We will explore some easy techniques and patterns to begin your mandala practice.

Gazebo Stage

People from the Acoustic Steel band playing in the gazebo — Acoustic Steel plays a Concert for Nonviolence

11:30 Bobcat Bortolo & the Liberation
12:00 Sahaja Yoga
12:30 Barb & Allen
1:00 Arisha School of Dance
1:30 Lotus Meditation
2:00 Acoustic Steel
4:00 The Boys & I

Pictures from Viewpoints on Poverty

WR Nonviolence 7 June 2019 6 June 2019

On Tuesday, 14 May 2019 WR Nonviolence held its second Viewpoints forum at the Queen Street Commons Cafe, called Viewpoints on Poverty: Exploring Life In The Margins. Matthew Albrecht from WRN hosted, and the discussion panel was: