Peace Road 2020 USA is part of the global peace efforts of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who is also known as the Mother of Peace. Peace Road 2020 is calling for all people and all nations to come together in peace and encouraging the families of all mankind to be connected in heart and in substance.
This year, Peace Road 2020 will begin on July 29th at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, MA and simultaneously in Jamestown, Virginia, (Point Comfort) where key events in the beginning of America’s history occurred. In 1620 the pilgrims landed seeking religious freedom and in 1619 the first slaves landed in America. Both occurred around 400 years ago. Both represent God’s children and our Heavenly Parent’s hope that one day all would become one family in America. Through Peace Road 2020, we want to understand our history and how God has always sent anointed men and women of God to lead us out of the darkness into the light. Though we live in perilous times in America and throughout the world we see hope in the “Mother of Peace” who brought Peace Starts With Me to America.
From Plymouth and Jamestown, we will begin a “Peace Road” journey across America seeking to learn from our history so that we might reconcile and build a better community and world. We will be bringing the “gift” of True Mother’s memoir to the governors, mayors, faith leaders and all generations of prominent leaders of our nation. The Peace road will continue until the entire country has been crossed from sea to shining sea.
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) together with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), Young Clergy Leadership Conference (YCLC), Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), Youth and Students for Peace (YSP), The Collegiate Association for the Research of Principle, and the Cranes Club, we will join with all races to seek God’s intervention to bring peace in America and throughout the world.
We will petition our Heavenly Parent to once again bless this nation as we repent, forgive, reconcile and move forward to help America fulfill its motto of “One Nation Under God”. We will seek to expand this motto by embracing the Peace Road founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, heart to see humanity “One Global Family under God.”
Through Peace Road 2020, we will seek to understand our forefathers and foremothers of each race by visiting the historic sites significant to our history. Peace Road Riders will learn and share with others that our history is both beautiful and deeply challenging and yet God has created this nation to be the nation where all the historical injustices and failures could be exposed and overcome.
We will seek an understanding of how we may join together to inspire America and the World to turn to God. As other Peace Road Riders are doing the same work in every continent, the Peace Road Riders in the United States representing all races will bring hope that unity and being one family is possible. We will go from the east coast to the west and on to Alaska and to the site of the future Bering Strait Peace King Bridge and Tunnel which is key to the vision of “The Mother of Peace” to see the families all races, nations, and cultures freely traveling the world by one International Peace Highway.
All 50 States are invited to join in as many “Peace Road” Journeys can be started in every state and become tributaries joining the main peace road. We will hold media interviews and events that allow the very best leaders of America to awaken our nation to the love, healing, and reconciliation that is occurring through the “Mother of Peace”. Representatives of all races will join together all the way to Alaska and the Bering Strait where it may be passed off to UPF Russia to continue the journey to North Korea and on to South Korea.
Connecting to America’s founding and pilgrim landing 400 years ago and the Jamestown beginning in 1619
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth MA in 1620 as they sought a place where they could freely practice their faith without persecution. Many believe that God abundantly blessed America because of the pilgrim’s sacrifice and deep faith in God, and the values they practiced through their understanding of the Bible.
The Mayflower Compact was written saying, “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith … A voyage to plant the first Colony…”
This demonstrates that God was in the founding of America. During this tour, we seek to emphasize the importance of this nation’s founding spirit. We are asking Americans to rekindle their relationship with God and the core Judeo- Christian values which are common to all faiths, which stand as the bedrock of America’s founding.
True Peace can only be achieved with God. We will be sharing a message of hope that God is alive and active in our world. We will be praying together and encouraging others to share their beliefs and hopes for a peaceful world as well.
However, we recognize that only one race signed the Mayflower Compact. Therefore a new compact must be created in which all races sign together, A Ceremony will be held in which Black, White, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, and all races will sign.
At the same time, we will remember our history in Jamestown and the sadness that ensued through the last 400 years. However, we will also recognize that as America restored these missteps, we find that the whole world has changed with the reconciliation and love that God brought forth in American history.
In our nation’s capital Washington D.C., the Peace Riders from Plymouth will meet with the Peace Riders of Jamestown at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial and remember how God spoke through him when he said “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal… I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” We believe that Dr. King’s Dream is already in the process of being fully realized in America and throughout the world because it is God’s Dream.
Father Moon said in his address ‘America is God’s Hope’ on June 1, 1976, “Transcending nationality and race, America has created a model for the ideal world…True Americans are those who believe in the one family of man, transcendent of color, and nationality as willed by God. True Americans are those who are proud of such international families, churches, and of the nation which consists of all peoples. In the sight of God, there is no black; there is no white; there is no yellow. We must look at the human race as God sees it.” Mother Moon said, if we seek and honor God in all that we do, God’s love will lead us to peace.
With this heart, the peace riders will go to Atlanta to pray at Dr. King’s memorial resting place. Father Moon said Dr. King was the greatest American of the 20th Century. Then we will go across America lifting up the light of God through the Mother of Peace.
Recognizing peacemakers of the past and present:
As we go across America with the spirit of PEACE STARTS WITH ME, Peace Road 2020 can provide a platform for people to show our unity, solidarity, and love. We do this by honoring those peacemakers in each state who’ve come before us and those currently working amongst us. We acknowledge and elevate the peace which can extend from each one of us to impact our future world.
Peace Road will highlight the work of Mother Moon, the Mother of Peace, and share her story of total love, unity, and devotion to God. It is her work and the work of the millions of all races and faith she has inspired that is carrying forth Father Moon’s vision of a global peace highway to fruition at this time. We will inform people of the life of True Parents by promoting and distributing their autobiographies
Promotion of Global Peace Highway Initiative:
The center of the Peace Road is the Global Peace Highway with the vision that all families may freely travel by car to every corner of the world, fostering the free cultural, economic and religious exchange, and cooperation of all humanity as one family.
We are all weary of the conflict and anger and sadness and suffering going on in America and the world right now. Peace Road 2020 addresses this with love, inclusion, understanding, repentance and reconciliation.
We begin at Point Comfort near Jamestown, VA where the first black slaves were brought here in 1619 and Plymouth, Massachusetts where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 – the Black family and the White family 400 years ago – one in search of religious freedom, the other in chains. Black, White, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, brothers and sisters of all faith backgrounds will seek to understand our history, the good and the tragic of it. The goal is to seek God’s wisdom and loving guidance, so that the current situation of pain and injustice can be addressed by all Americans as brothers and sisters.
Peace Starts With Me, a movement created by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, has successfully brought people of every race and faith together throughout America since 2017, in experiences of hope and love. We have a track-record of healing and tearful reconciliation.
This summer we are visiting the historic sites in America where suffering and injustice have occurred – the slave markets of South Carolina, the Trail of Tears and the Underground Railroad. We will bring people together to pray at Wounded Knee, Sand Creek, where Black Wall Street, an all-Black city that was burned to the ground in Tulsa, and many other sites where we will join hands, offer our repentance and determination that we will end this sad era and begin a new era, reconciling the human family in love and faith.
We will also visit those sites which honor individuals who overcame injustice and tragedy through love and sacrifice – Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Black Kettle, Chief Joseph, the Freedom Riders, Red Cross founder Clara Barton, the Tuskegee Airmen, war veterans and the many who gave all for this country.
We will visit sites that represent hope and promise of America – Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, Richard Allen’s Mother Bethel AME Church, and others.
Enough is enough. Let’s end the violence and hate. Let’s begin together, a new era of peace and hope.
Please donate to support the Peace Road Riders, follow the teams on Facebook who will start from many places in the U.S. on July 29.
Fairfax, Virginia – A Peace Road event with approximately 45 participants was held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 under the theme, “The Right to Peace: Connecting the World Through Peace Road.” The program was organized by UPF-Virginia in partnership with the local chapters of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and the American Clergy Leadership Conference.
The event commenced at the NOVA Family Learning Center with welcome remarks from UPF Virginia executive director, Mrs. Barbara Moseley-Marks, who expressed gratitude to all the participants for attending the inaugural event of the Peace Road in Virginia. She gave an impassioned call for the end of violence, not only in far off nations around the world, and she pointed to the child soldiers who are forced to serve in suicide missions, but also local children who are victims of drive-by shootings. Mrs. Marks also explained that the day’s Peace Road honors the International Day of Peace and the 70th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, milestone programs of the United Nations.
Barbara Moseley-Marks welcoming participants
Alex Cromwell sharing his peacebuilding efforts in with youths in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Alex Cromwell, an instructor at American University shared about his work in peacebuilding with youth groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the significance of the UN International Day of Peace. He said that when young people are taught to hate others, for example in the case of Israeli and Palestinian youth, they tend to carry those values throughout their lives. He shared a moving story about a Palestinian whose perspectives changed when he attended a school with Israelis and came to have first-hand experiences. “We have a choice,” Alex said,“to repeat the cycle of violence or begin to see others with compassion and love.”
Dr. Bill Selig explaining the history of Peace Road
Interfaith Water Ceremony
Dr. William Selig explained the initiation and history of the Peace Road, which is based on the philosophy of UPF founders, Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. The Peace Road, which begins from South Africa, is intended to link the world’s nations together in the name of peace and to encourage people to live as one family under God.
The Interfaith Water Ceremony followed with representatives of different faiths. One by one, the clergy poured water into a large bowl and offered powerful prayers for peace and good will. Faith leaders included: Bishop John Allen, Sr., founder of the Greater Pentecostal Temple of Christ, Fairfax, VA; Mrs. Rhonda Williams, art teacher and interfaith activist; Pastor Sunday ThankGod, Senior pastor at Jesus Saves Deliverance ministry in Columbia, MD; and Rev. Werner Seubert, Pastor, NOVA Family Church.
Peace Road March
Group Photo
The participants posed in front of the Learning Center for a group photo, then Mrs. Marks began the Peace Road with a “flag off.” Yoshi Takashima and Tetsuya Nomura led the marchers from the Learning Center to Gateway Regional Park. Yoshi, who recently completed a 2-year GAP program in Europe was pleased with the day’s events. He said, “Peace has to begin in the family, then it can spread to the community.” Tetsuya, a sophomore at Northern Virginia Community College, hopes more young people can recognize the importance of the Peace Road and its value to raise awareness about our global situation.”
Washington, D.C. – On May 26th, a beautiful Memorial Day weekend and a perfect bike riding day on the nation’s capital, UPF USA, Sub-Region 2 organized a “Peace Road” event in support of the worldwide campaign for peace and unification.
The Peace Road is an “International highway” that connects all people of the world. It is the enduring vision of the co-founders of the Universal Peace Federation, the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Participants keep the vision of peace alive by traveling along as much of the Peace Road as possible through biking, running and other events. Today more than ever, we desperately need a bold peace initiative to bring people together.
Twenty five bikers, aged 11 to 70 years participated with 10 volunteers who helped to supply their lunch and water during the event. Thanks to four scouts from Boy Scout Troupe 1212 and Pastor Achille Acolatse, of the DC Family Church, who encouraged the bikers to participate. The UPF famous yellow umbrellas guided the group along to the starting place. The nation’s capital was one of the most crowded locations during the Memorial Day weekend. Over 10,000 motorcyclists came to Washington, DC and many from the famous Rolling Thunder group honoring MIA soldiers. Our “Peace Road” DC Bike Tour was one of many events that took place on the mall. The UPF purple T-shirts stood in solidarity with the crowd. It was an exciting event for all.
Matthew Goldberg, an official DC tour guide was our bike leader. He led the group starting from the West side of the Capitol going to the Lincoln Memorial. Matthew stopped at each historical Monument for a short remembrance; the Washington Monument, both World War I & II Memorials, the Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. His passion to educate about the heritage of our nation inspired boys and girls and added additional value to the program.
Barbara Moseley-Marks, UPF USA-Virginia and her husband, Kenton, brought apples and Gregg Jones, UPF-Baltimore supplied cold water and chips. Mayumi Kernan, Machiko Moran and Taeko Moffitt made sandwiches for the bikers. We are truly grateful to all those who supported us especially those who join the 2-mile journey promoting a united world by connecting all peoples of the world through this unique event.
Watch out for our next Peace Road events in the Southeast Region.
Contributed by: Tomiko Duggan, UPF USA Subregional Director, Southeast
Elizabeth, NJ – On May 20th, the City of Elizabeth in New Jersey becomes the first location to hold Peace Road 2018 in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth and the City of Elizabeth. The bike tour attracted more than 500 bicyclists around Union County and even neighboring towns and counties. The bike route was divided into two. The first route covers the western part of the town commencing from the City Hall while the second route was directed towards the Elizabethport and the Elizabeth River Trail on the eastern part of the town arriving at the very same spot where everyone started.
Registration started around 7:30 AM and the tour officially begun at 9 AM. Bikers as young as seven and as old as seventy from different level of experience came together to celebrate Bike Month and to promote peace and tourism in the city. Elizabeth City Mayor Chris Bollwage, the main organizer, greeted everyone with so much enthusiasm despite the gloomy weather as this year marks the 15th year of Tour de Elizabeth. Bicycles in various shapes and sizes flooded the streets of Elizabeth even a young mono cyclist participated in the tour. Ten Peace Road bikers made it to the first phase (around 7 miles) in an hour because of several inclined roads. After a short break, the team trekked the second route (around 8 miles) completing the whole 15-mile bike tour.
Jonathan Phillips, the executive director of Groundworks Elizabeth along with bike marshals and local police guided riders along the path and made sure that everyone was safe and arrived with so much pride and sense of accomplishment. Some groups greeted finishers with big cheers and congratulations
After the tour, a raffle drawing was done with a grand prize of a brand-new bicycle with helmet. More prizes were raffled off courtesy of different sponsors and booth exhibitors. Each participant was also provided with a t-shirt, hat and goody bag full of gifts and info materials including Peace Road postcard.
Emiljun Rapada, the Peace Road USA 2018 National Coordinator thanked all the participants and encouraged them to join other scheduled locations in Jersey City NJ and Manhattan NY in June and July respectively. For more information and latest updates, check the Peace Road website. You can also sign up to join or donate to the cause.
Contributed by: Emiljun Rapada, Peace Road USA Coordinator
