1 post tagged “milesforpeace”
I’ve been trying to remember all the Independence Days I’ve spent in the US—this is my eighth—and the only one I really remember is the first, when I went to the Alameda County Fair. Back in 2000, the 4th of July seemed to be all about picnics and having fun. This year, it’s overwhelmingly, depressingly martial if the TV news broadcasts are anything to go by.
So, allow me to show you what I went in search of this year on the 4th of July. I’d seen a local TV news story earlier in the week about a group of Iranians who are spending this summer bicycling across Europe and the United States, promoting better understanding about their country.
In each city they stop at, the riders present the mayor with a handcrafted sculpture of the group’s logo, which is both a dove of peace and an outstretched hand.
The spokesman I was introduced to was Ali Nasri, who has studied in France, lives in Canada, and sees the two cultures of West and East as complimentary, according to an interview he gave in London back in May, published at payvand.com.
Those supporters also help with directions and advice, as in this photo of one the cyclists preparing to set off for Los Angeles.
After their time in LA, the group will fly to Baltimore, and then cycle to Washington DC.
Read about and support their mission here:
http://www.milesforpeace.org/home.php
--PEACE--
