WR Nonviolence – Page 2 – Nonviolence makes the world a better place

Sing for Peace and Nonviolence

Matt Albrecht 2 November 2019 1 November 2019

Join Waterloo region in celebrating the second World March for Peace & Nonviolence.

Beginning in Madrid on October 2, 2019 (International Day of Nonviolence) the World March Team continues to travel to city after city around the world, with simultaneous events occurring in near-by communities.

The World March concludes back in Madrid on March 8, 2020 (International Women’s Day).

Waterloo Region welcomes the World March Team as they prepare to arrive in North America.

Sing for Peace and Nonviolence contributes Waterloo Region`s voice to the world stage, calling for an end to wars, and for the overcoming of violence in all its forms.

Performances by:

The Water Boys, King Edward Public School Choir, Twin City Harmonizers, Shout Sisters Choir, Grand Harmony Women’s Chorus

13th Annual Human Peace Sign

Presented by WR Nonviolence.

Hosted by The Liberation

contact@wrnonviolence.org

facebook.com/WRNonviolence

theworldmarch.org (world site)

What: Sing For Peace and Nonviolence
When: Sunday, 3 November 2019 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Waterloo Public Square
Location: 75 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario Map

Human Peace Sign with Bobcat Bartolo #PeaceWeek

Bob Jonkman 3 September 2019

Every year since 2008 WR Nonviolence has organized a Human Peace Sign on the International Day Of Peace, the first day of the 10-day IDOPAN celebration.

This year we’re partnering with Bobcat Bartolo and the Liberation, who will again be recognizing the International Day of Peace on 21 September as part of Peace Week, with another installment of An Evening of Peace. This year Bobcat Bartolo is teaming up with Rhythm & Brews Brewing Company, and we’ll be releasing more details as we move closer to the day.

What: Human Peace Sign at A Day of Peace
When: Saturday, 21 September 2019 from 1:00pm to 1:00am
Where: Rhythm & Brews Brewing Company
Location: 1000 Bishop Street North, Cambridge, Ontario

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!

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

People in the KW Animal Save booth — KW Animal Save

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

People and canopies along the pathway — Exhibitors Alley

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

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

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

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

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

People at the Islamic Information Centre booth — Islamic Information Centre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At the @KWMulticultural Festival, 22-23 June 2019

Bob Jonkman 23 June 2019 23 June 2019

On Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 June 2019, WR Nonviolence had an information table at the KW Multicultural Festival. We handed out programs for the 15^th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park (which is on Saturday, 20 July 2019 from Noon to 5:00pm), gave out information about our regular Tuesday Night meetings, chatted about the philosophy and practice of Nonviolence, and invited everyone to come to the Day In The Park!

If you’re an organization that supports the principles of nonviolence please join us as an exhibitor! Register now, it will be will be open for only a few more weeks!

Five people standing in front of the WR Nonviolence information table at the KW Multicultural Festival — We had a great day chatting with folks at the Multicultural Festival. L-R: Peter Jantzi, Matthew Albrecht, Willem Jonkman, Bob Jonkman, Michael Chumakin. Also staffing the table was Diane Wilson, who was not available for the picture.

Many, many thanks to the Fair Vote Canada Waterloo Region Chapter for loaning us their canopy, and saving us from the blazing sun!

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:

Sandee Lovas, Alliance Against Poverty
Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
Michael Parkinson, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Matthew Albrecht at the microphone — Matthew Albrecht of *WR Nonviolence* introduces the evening and the panelists

Three people sitting at a table on the stage with microphones — The discussion panel: Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Sandee Lovas, Michael Parkinson

Michael Parkinson at the microphone — Michael Parkinson from the *Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council* presents first

Sandee Lovas at the microphone — Sandee Lovas from Alliance Against Poverty tells a personal story of living a life of poverty

Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic at the microphone — Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic tells us of the work the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region does for poverty elimination

Doug McKlusky at the microphone reading notes — Doug McKlusky summarizes his groups discussion

Bob Jonkman at the microphone — Bob Jonkman talks about his group’s discussion

Six people in two rows — Organizers and panelists for *Viewpoints on Poverty: Exploring Life In The Margins*. Front L-R: Peter Jantzi, Sandee Lovas, Michael Parkinson; Back L-R: Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Matthew Albrecht, Bob Jonkman

A podcast of the event will be published soon.

Viewpoints on Poverty: Exploring Life In The Margins — 14 May 2019

WR Nonviolence 9 May 2019 8 May 2019

Join us for an inclusive evening with a panel presentation, group discussion, and personal action to achieve nonviolent solutions for people living a life of poverty.

This Viewpoints forum tries to bring the perspectives of a person with experience living a life of poverty, 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

Sandee Lovas, Alliance Against Poverty
Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
Christiane Sadeler, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Public Small-Group Discussion

Planning A Positive Way Forward

Everyone is invited to contribute their experiences, dreams, and unique perspectives.

When: Tuesday, 14 May 2019 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm iCal
Where: Queen Street Commons Café
Location: 43 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Map

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

Download the poster (.PDF, 503 kBytes)