Voices from the Connecticut Peace Walk

A crowd of more than 1,500 gathered on the grounds of West Hartford Town Hall Saturday morning awaiting the arrival of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Laureate spoke at the XL Center on Friday evening, as part of what he said is his last planned visit to the United States.

Joan Letendre of Hartford and Bill Williams of West Hartford were eagerly anticipating the start of the Connecticut Peace Walk. “I am a fan of Desmond Tutu and I have been a peace activist for a long time. With what’s going on in the world, this is a good time to march for peace,” said Letendre.

West Hartford Deputy Mayor Tim Brennan said that for him, “[the Peace Walk] is a focus on youth, sport, art, education, internationalism, and peace. It checks off every box on my checklist.” Brennan just announced that he will not run for reelection to the West Hartford Town Council, and will instead focus on helping Institute for International Sport founder and executive director Dan Doyle establish the Center for Social Entrepreneurship in Hartford.

“The youth of America have always been promoters of peace,” said Mary Ellen Higgison of West Hartford. She came to the Peace Walk with Sally VanMeter of Bloomfield who said she was there, “not only for peace but to support Dan Doyle, who has always had vision.”

Prior to Tutu’s arrival, organizers and officials had the opportunity to address the audience.

“These are pathways to a peace initiative,” said Doyle, who also presented West Hartford Deputy Mayor Tim Brennan with the “Power of Good” award for his volunteer efforts.

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, referencing the day’s predicted “Rapture,” said, “This is evidence that our world is not falling apart; it’s coming together.”

“There’s nothing wrong with our world that can’t be fixed with what’s right with our world,” said West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, borrowing his thoughts from the words of former President Bill Clinton.

“We need to trust our youth,” said state Senator Beth Bye, who also praised the adults in our community who are engaged in helping others.

State Rep. Andrew Fleishman, who was the last speaker before Tutu took the stage, said, “Archbishop Tutu has a simple message: Do not respond with violence. Do not respond with hatred.”

Following Tutu’s inspiring speech, the crowd set off on the Connecticut Peace March – a 2.6-mile course through the streets of West Hartford.

“We wanted to be part of this special moment,” said Lilka Valle, whose entire family joined a group from Whiting Lane Elementary School participating in the Walk.

A group of fifth-graders from Renbrook School carried a banner along the route, and said they were marching for world peace. “It has to start somewhere, and I think it’s wonderful that it’s here in West Hartford,” said Renbrook parent Karen Gingole.

Renbrook’s Head of School, Dr. Armistead Webster, was walking with parent Paul Mehlman of Farmington. “You feel like there’s a spirit here that could energize the world,” said Webster, who estimated that more than 65 Renbrook students, parents and staff were participating in the Walk.

Jodi Robinson of West Hartford was walking with her son Kirk. “Kirk read all about it and really wanted to do it,” said Robinson, whose husband Graham, Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, was actually at a theological conference in South Africa.

Anne Walsh Henderson of West Hartford was walking with her whole family, including their dog Dakota. Her son Connor, now a student at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, had previously met Desmond Tutu as part of a Peace Jam event in Colorado. They were thrilled to be part of the day’s events.