Supporters gather at Chester County Courthouse for International Day of Peace

WEST CHESTER — Forty peace supporters met Thursday evening at the Historic Courthouse on the International Day of Peace to hear several speakers push for change.

International Day of Peace has occurred annually since 1981. The United Nations set aside an annual 24-time period to promote a world-wide cease fire. This year’s theme is “Actions for peace, your ambitions for global goals.”

Speaker Asim Rana represents the Islamic Society of Chester County and told the audience on the courthouse steps that we all understand what peace is—no conflicts, no war and perfect harmony.

“It is painful to admit that we are failing miserably,” he said about preserving the peace.

While several inequalities such as race, gender, wealth, resources and education play roles, the real reason for the failure is injustice, according to Rana.

“We Americans have a lot more responsibility,” he said. “Great power comes with great responsibilities.

“Let’s begin our work by making Chester County the most peaceful place to live.”

Jerry Simotas, with Veterans for Peace talked about the soldier of many wars, two-time Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and West Chester resident Smedley Butler.

“The gains of war are expressed in dollars,” Simotas attributed to Butler. “Out of war great profits are made.

“You pay for war.”

Simotas then quoted Butler: “War is a racket and I was a racketeer for the business of war. I was a gangster for Wall Street.”

Activist for gun violence protection Tom Buglio talked about keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

“Gun violence has become a national health and safety epidemic in our country,” Buglio said. “It is becoming a rare thing for any family not to be affected, because the vast majority of Americans know someone who has suffered from gun violence in their family or circle of friends.

“Virtually no one can escape the pervasiveness of this uniquely American scourge.”

Buglio promotes what he said are simple common sense gun safety laws.

Universal background checks should be required for all gun sales, public or private. He promotes responsible gun ownership and also requiring all gun owners to pass a gun safety course and to keep guns locked up in homes with young children.

Buglio pushes for Red Flag Laws which would give a way for families and police to petition a judge to take gun rights away from anyone exhibiting dangerous behavior to themselves or others. He also wants to curb the illegal gun market by establishing laws for reporting lost and stolen guns.

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta was awarded the Anne Moore Peace Award. Comitta declared Sept. 21 the Day of Peace in the borough for each of the eight years of her two terms as mayor.

The senator then declared International Day of Peace in the Commonwealth.

“I only wish Anne Moore was here,” Comitta said. “What a very strong, caring and impactful human being,” Comitta said.

Cathy Lakoff noted that Comitta is good friends with both two and four legged creatures.

Ken Park is with Nether Providence PAC.

“The goal is to make people comfortable and share lessons learned,” he said about promoting peace.

Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste led the peacelovers in a chant to the Edwin Starr Song, “War.”

“War, huh, yeahWhat is it good for?Absolutely nothing”

John Scardina led the group in a sing-a-long to “If I Had a Hammer” by Pete Seeger.

“If I had a song, I’d sing it in the morning, I’d sing it in the evening, all over this land, I’d sing out danger, I’d sing out a warning, Sing out war, sing out love, I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters all over this land”

-Pete Seeger

Master of Ceremonies Chris Barr sent everyone home on a positive note.

“Be nice to people,” he said. “Whatever spins your carousel.

“Do something to make some else’s life a little better.”