IDP Call to Action by Audri Scott Williams

Yesterday was a day filled with synchronistic experiences for the 13 Moon Walk 4 Peace. We began our day moving from Wilson to Raleigh, NC in the rain. We were heading to Raleigh to join with Project Ricochet's Yoga in the Park for the International Day of Peace. After a great opportunity to stretch for peace we  met with Abeni El - Amin, the CEO and director of Project Ricochet and video taped her doing her "That's My Peace". Then it was on to the Community UCC gathering to see the video, "Globalized Soul" (the video was named the "Featured Film" for The UN International Day of Peace) and to share about the 13 Moon Walk 4 Peace. The video was inspiring and thought provoking. The group gathered was diverse and loving. We returned to our RV's around 9:30pm for our prayer circle that we do every night. As we concluded the circle. I received a text message that the State of Georgia had executed Troy Davis at 11:03pm. I was at first stunned because we were told earlier that there was a stay of execution. After sitting with the realization a while, I soon moved to a place of realizing that his execution was actually a call to action. Every year now on the International Day of Peace, I will remember Troy Davis and all of the innocent men and women of color (e.g. Leonard Peltier, Mimia abu Jamal) and the poor -- serving time for crimes they did not commit, all of those who are on death row, and those serving life sentences. This day will remind me that we must not simply sit by and accept the disparities that exist in our society without lifting our voices to speak truth and to act in accordance with what is right and just. There was a time when the fear of an external power destroying our nation was a great motivator for war. I am concerned that the gross disparities affecting the poor and people of color is creating a war on our own citizenry while we posture peacemaking as a call to war with other nations. Perhaps I am treading on dangerous ground but PEACE is PEACE and this is the time to replace injustice with justice, hate with love and fear with faith. There is a great opportunity looming before us to affect an evolved humanity. It will require our prayers, our hearts and our action to birth. So while we gather in familiar circles where we feel safe and supported, let us remember that change will come when enough of us are willing to step outside of our comfort zone to help somebody, to get to know somebody through their life story, to discover the core values we all share and from that take the first steps forward toward a world built with the mortar of love and stones of compassion. Let us not be betrayed by our silence. May the peace within blossom forth in courageous acts of love until peace prevails on earth. In the words of a great bumper sticker given to me by Pk, "God bless the whole world, no exceptions!" In Peace & In Love, Audri www.audriscottwilliams.com www.13moonwalk4peace.comwww.communitiesofpeace.ning.com