Step For Peace

One person can make a difference. I know it to be true because I have seen on the battlefield how one person can decide to kill or not to kill, to pull the trigger or to refuse to end another person’s life.  I have known how easy it is to fire off deadly rockets without thinking about where they will land or what damage they will do. I have come face-to-face with those who resort torture and others who have lifted a hand to help a broken soul.

 

Wars continue without end around the world. The list of current confrontations stretches through too many countries.  Hundreds of people are killed senselessly every week as a result of war. I cannot listen to the reports of death and destruction without feeling that I have a responsibility to do something.

 

I struggled for many years to figure out what one person can accomplish. I am not a famous person or part of a major organization or a well-financed non-profit agency. But I know if everyone refused to go to war, there would be no war. If believe it would make a difference if workers at the weapons factory refused to build the bombs.

 

I believe I must try to reach those who fight wars and those who build weapons. I must speak to those who negotiate peace and urge them to work a little bit harder.

 

I expect I will not be alone in this anti-war journey.  I have spoken to many veterans of wars around the world who have said similar things. Activists in every community have joined international peace marches and anti-war protests. I cannot sit back just because they are speaking out. I realized that I too must try to make a difference. I hope to walk across the continent - from Vancouver British Columbia to the United Nations in New York – to grab the attention of all peace-loving people.

 

I begin my appeal for peace with one step, and then another and another until there will be no more war. I invited you to join me in the step-for-peace. 

Zahed Haftlang