Peace Ribbon 2020

Commemorating the 75^th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PEACE RIBBON On August 4, 1985, forty years after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, approximately 10,000 peaceful protesters from 50 states gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in a nonviolent peace action against nuclear weapons. The gathering was inspired by the vision of teacher-turned-activist, Justine Merritt, who envisioned wrapping peace ribbons around the Pentagon as a reminder that “life is precious and nuclear war is unthinkable.” Nearly 30,000 ribbons were created—each carrying a personalized message of what one couldn’t bear to think of as being lost in a nuclear war. The ribbon panels were then linked and wrapped around the Pentagon, the White House and the U.S. Capitol—stretching nearly 15 miles.

Justine died in 2009, but her vision lives on and continues to inspire others to work for a nuclear-free world. In 1991, The Ribbon International became a United Nations NGO and promotes Ribbon events calling the world’s attention to the increasing threat of nuclear weapons to peace and to our common home. For more information, visit The Ribbon International at http://theribboninternational.blogspot.com/ .

GET INVOLVED WITH THE PEACE RIBBON CAMPAIGN: 

Join with Pax Christi USA and many other local, national and international peace organizations to commemorate the 75th year after Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 2020. Together, we are inviting people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and faith traditions to get involved in the Peace Ribbon Campaign.

• Create your own Peace Ribbon Panel—use any color or type of sturdy cloth, 36” wide by 18” high, decorated to your own liking. Sew, paint, sketch, embroider, applique, tie dye, weave or knit, heartfelt symbols and/or words that depict what you hold dear and want to protect by abolishing nuclear war, ending violent conflicts rooted in racism, and protecting the environment. Add ties to each corner of the cloth panels so that they can easily be joined together to form a “Ribbon” at in-person events being held in NYC, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere (if possible, check back for updates as details are available)
• Create other forms of art that express what you cannot bear to lose in a nuclear disaster. Design a poster, write a poem or a song, create mobiles or make 75 peace cranes to represent 75 years after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and hang or display them in a prominent place.
• Display your Ribbon or your other creations between August 1 and August 9, 2020 in your homes (i.e. porches, railings, balconies), cars, offices or church windows.
• Post your Ribbon images and other art forms virtually via social media. User #theribbon2020 and tag “Peace Ribbon 2020” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Share with https://www.facebook.com/ribbonwashingtondc.com
• Share photos of your ribbon panel and/or other art expressions with Pax Christi USA (dortiz@paxchristiusa.org). Images will be posted on PCUSA’s website and social media platforms. See www.thepeaceribbon.org

Ribbon Workstation:  Blank cloth panels, art supplies and equipment provided – bring your inspiration and any special items you have to include. Masks required, social distancing and precautions will be taken.  Contact wibfrederick@gmail.com to get more info and make an appointment.  Location:  Friends Meeting, 723 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701; Free, donations accepted to offset costs.