Community Currency - 11/3/11

Part II

The SACRED SITES PEACEWALK FOR A NUCLEAR FREE WORLD has begun. In Part I, I spoke with two of the organizers of the walk who have been working hard to shut down Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power plant, especially in the wake of the disaster of Fukushima. Working with the Mothers are a Japanese Buddhist order, including Jun-san and two native American groups dedicated to preserving sacred sites, Indian People Organizing for Change and Protect Glen Cove with Johnella LaRose, another main organizer of the walk. The Diablo Canyon plant was built, over community protest, on a site sacred to the Chumash people.

This is an unusual, rare interview with Gilberto Perez, a Buddhist monk from the Nipponzan Myohoji order, which was begun in Japan named "Guruji" by his friend Gandhi -- who developed the practice of walking and drumming with the Lotus Sutra to proclaim the message of nonviolence, when Japanese imperialism returned in the early 20th century. Gilberto Perez and the monks generally don't give "interviews" or do "public relations." Originally from Cuba, he joined the Sacred Sites Walk yesterday in Oakland. A foot injury and spontaneous "need" allowed him to take time to patiently answer questions and offer his insights, and stories.

Jun Yasuda in solidarity and support with the indigenous people was a major impetus to organize the walk. Jun-san, as she is affectionately called by those who know her, is an extraordinary woman. In this interview, Gilberto describes how Jun-san was mugged years ago in Oakland... as we talk about the events that took place in Oakland on November 2nd and in the early hours of this morning when there were violent clashes between police and people wielding shields in the streets. When the Peacewalk arrived and prayed at Occupy Oakland the energy was definitely positive, peaceful, creative, and hopeful.

Walking for peace, justice, against the nuclear industry is not a new idea, but a powerful tool to raise awareness, build community and draw public attention and support to the important struggles that are far too often ignored by the press. Recently there have been anti-nuclear walks in Australia, France and New England.

The first Wall Street occupation only attracted a handful of people and, the occupations and walks continue to attract more and more people and support, as they weave those powerful bonds of love, friendship, support and understanding that nourish powerful social movements.

The walks have intersected the Occupations and the schedule has changed, so that the walk arrived in Oakland in support of the November 2nd General Strike. Tonight they will be in Oakland. They are scheduled to be in Berkeley on Friday, November 4th, at BFUU at 6 PM for potluck dinner with Joanna Macy.

The general public is warmly invited to take part in the peace walk; volunteers may elect to walk for an hour, a day, or the entire walk. To connect with the actual march, the East Bay schedule is postedhere, for the exact locations - call 805-234-1769.

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