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Winning Peace Poems to Be Featured at Bo Diddley Plaza
November 17, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
As part of this celebration at Bo Diddley Plaza, selected winners of the Peace Poetry Contest will present their poems at 1:30 p.m. The contest, which launched in October, was sponsored by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville, the Climate Collaboratory, and the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. Winning poems may be read on the Hogtowne Quill on this website.
According to the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, the November 17 celebration begins with introductions, followed by a kids’ corner filled with face painting, games, and handprints. Then comes a march down University Avenue with participants waving banners and chanting messages of hope and solidarity — a vibrant tapestry of voices and cultures.
After the march, the downtown park comes alive with music, poetry, dance, and laughter. Families connect, children play, and joy fills the air, embodying the spirit of unity.
Throughout the day, there will be sharing of meals, conversations, and new friendships that build understanding and community. As evening falls, everyone will gather in a circle, with these wishes:
The City of Gainesville’s Department of Community Reinvestment is a proud sponsor of the UNITY in CommUNITY – March for Peace and Justice through its Downtown Events Program grant.