Chelmsford Observing International Day Of Peace Next Month

CHELMSFORD, MA —Chelmsford has announced that it will host an event next month to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

The event, presented by the town's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 17 on the Old Town Common.

The official International Day of Peace, which is Sept. 21, was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire.

According to the UN, the 2022 International Day of Peace's theme is "End racism. Build peace."

In a statement, the UN said that In addition to non-violence, true peace requires the building of societies where all members feel they can flourish and creating a world where people are treated equally regardless of their race.

"Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures and everyday life in every society," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. "It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights."

Guterres continued: "(Racism) destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and … the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable."

With the war in Ukraine still raging, the organizers of the Chelmsford International Day of Peace event are offering residents a chance to support those affected by the conflict.

Event organizers said a raffle will be held for a chance to win one of the garden bridges on display on the common. All proceeds will go to the UNICEF Protect the Children Ukraine Fund.

More information about the Chelmsford International Day of Peace event is available on the town website.