Nonviolence makes the world a better place
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)
On Saturday, 20 July 2019 WR Nonviolence held the 15th 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!
You can see more pictures from the 15th Annual Day In The Park in our Photo Gallery.
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 EDTBe 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.
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!
Do you belong to a Community Group? Register now for an exhibitor booth!
Saturday, 20 July 2019 from Noon to 5:00pm!
We’ve got a great lineup of talent at the 15th Annual Nonviolence Day In The Park! There are returning guests, and brand new acts:
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.
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.”
2:00 pm: – Presented by Karen Lord
Please meet by the Labyrinth for this yoga session.
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.
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 15th 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!
Many, many thanks to the Fair Vote Canada Waterloo Region Chapter for loaning us their canopy, and saving us from the blazing sun!
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:
A podcast of the event will be published soon.
Pictures ©2019 by Paul Wilson, used by permission.
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 PresentationsPublic Small-Group DiscussionPlanning A Positive Way ForwardEveryone 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
Do you want to participate in WR Nonviolence’s 15th annual Nonviolence Day In The Park celebration with a community group or vendor booth? Registrations are now open!
Advertisements in the Day In The Park program support WR Nonviolence activities all year: Viewpoints forums, IDOPAN, Usury-Free Day. Ads in the DITP program can be requested until Thursday, 6 June 2019. $50 for a business card ad, $100 for a quarter-page footer ad. Use the Registration Form to request an ad!
This has always been a special time with community groups, vendors, entertainment, and activities for the kids. Please pass on this invitation!
https://wrnonviolence.org