Fellowship of Reconciliation to Hold Third Annual Festival of Peace in Nyack August 8 , 2007 The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) will host its third annual Festival of Peace Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 at its national headquarters in Upper Nyack, New York. The popular event, which has attracted 400 residents of the lower Hudson Valley in each of the past two years, will this year crown a four-day stretch of peace-oriented activities being coordinated by FOR with a host of community groups in the region. The weekend of activities will begin Thursday, Sept. 13 with a critical look at video’s influence on the war in Iraq. A screening of the film “When I Came Home” will be followed by a panel discussion of veterans and filmmakers. The film, which documents the challenges a returning veteran faces, will set the stage for the open-floor discussion. Starting at 7 p.m. at Riverspace, 119 Main Street, Nyack, N.Y., tickets are $10. A boat ride for freedom and justice aboard the luxury yacht, Zephyr, will carry on the festivities, Friday, Sept. 14. Departing from Tarrytown, the round-trip cruise to the George Washington Bridge will include music, food and drinks. The boat will sail from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with boarding time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and $100 and can be purchased by contacting Anita Fee at anita@forusa.org or 845-358-4601. Third in the series of events, a bias awareness workshop “Reaching for Resolutions” will explore the meaning of bias. Facilitated by Creative Response to Conflict, the workshop will probe how cultural differences and power dynamics lead to bias and different ways to interrupt it. The event will be from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 521 N. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. The price is $100 with scholarships available. For more information contact Anissa New-Walker, anewwalker@crc-global.org or 845-353-1796. The weekend will culminate with the Festival of Peace, Sunday, Sept. 16. This year’s Festival will be highlighted with awards ceremonies for three prestigious peace prizes and a visit by the World Council of Churches. Mel Duncan, executive director of Nonviolent Peaceforce (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org), will receive FOR's 2007 Pfeffer Peace Prize on behalf of his organization's courageous efforts in conflict regions around the world. The mission of the Peaceforce is to build a trained global civilian corps committed to nonviolent peacekeeping and to apply proven strategies to protect human rights, deter violence and help create space in which local peacemakers can carry out their work. The Peaceforce currently has teams working in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and the Philippines and its work will soon expand to conflict zones in Uganda and Colombia. Two Pfeffer Prize recipients later received the Nobel Peace Prize, including the 2006 Nobel awardee, Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh. Samina Faheem Sundas, executive director of American Muslim Voice (www.amuslimvoice.org), will receive FOR's 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize for her organization’s work to bridge gaps between communities and unite us all under the umbrella of our common humanity. A nonviolent, grassroots organization founded in 2003, the American Muslim Voice (AMV) seeks to foster lifelong friendships between Muslims and all communities. The AMV works with Muslim and multi-faith organizations that share their vision, dedication and commitment to preserve and protect civil liberties, constitutional, and human rights for all. Local activists Phil and Fran Greenspan will also be honored with the Festival of Peace award. The Greenspans have worked tirelessly in Westchester and Rockland Counties for years to promote peace and justice and educate their communities. The World Council of Churches will join the illustrious Peace Prize winners at the Festival. Beginning their U.S. tour at the Festival, the group will bring four “living letters” and visit with people working to overcome violence. This will give international visitors a window into the situation in the U.S. and the New York community a window into perceptions and experience of Christians in South Africa, Pakistan, Palestine, and Brazil. While in the U.S., the team will visit sites where there has been violence or where it is all too common, such as Virginia Tech, as well as visit with the Amish whose example of forgiveness so touched the world. The Festival will feature music, dance and activities for all ages. Distinguished community leaders and artists will attend. The bulk of the day’s events will take place outdoors, and tours of FOR's historic building overlooking the Hudson will be offered. The Festival will be held from 1 to 5 p.m, rain or shine. Admission is free and food and crafts will be available for purchase. Festival Partners include Riverspace, Creative Response to Conflict, Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace, Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center and WESPAC. Sponsors include Creative Financial Planning, Back to Earth, Adam Lipson, and Sign of the Times. Contact: Anita Fee, FOR Development Coordinator, 845-358-4601 ext. 32, anita[@forusa.org].