Martha Niggeman

The World March

.   Martha is a Christian Science practitioner and healer from the United States. She was active in various World march events in New York City throughout the three months of the initiative. On Oct 2nd 2009 she was the one of the religious leaders who came together at dawn in Battery Park  to celebrate an Interfaith  Blessing Ceremony for the World March. In late November, she also participanted in the various activities to welcome the international marchers. Martha shared the following testimonio right before speaking at the Ground Zero Ceremony of Reconciliation hosted by 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows (transcription and translation below):

Martha & Memoscopio

Dec/01/2009

video testimonio

English with Spanish translation

TMM050

Sara Foszcz

Testimonio about the World march

.   Sara, an NGO worker from Wisconsin, USA, joined the World March activities in New York City. She shared her account of the March during the Ceremony of Reconciliation at Ground Zero hosted by March organizers and Families for Peaceful Tomorrow (Transcription and English translation below):

Sara & Memoscopio

Dec/01/2009

video testimonio

English with Spanish translation

TMM053

Terry Greene

Testiomonio about the World March

.   Terry is a public health specialist from the United States. She is a founding member of 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. She shared her account at a café after having spoken at a World March ceremony of reconciliation at Ground Zero in New York:




Written Testimonio

The March and I. My brother, Don Greene, died in the sept 11, 2001 attacks. He was a passenger aboard United Flight 93. The organizations September 11th Families for a Peaceful Tomorrow (www.peaceful tomorrows.org) and the International Network for Peace (www.internationalnetworkforpeace.org) which we joined with other organizations from around the world whose members have lost loved ones to war, terror, organized crime, and nuclear weaponry, cosponsored the Dec 1st 2009 ceremony held today at the site of the World Trade Center.
The March and the World. The resiliency and strength of the marchers as well as dedication to the cause of nonviolence is an important model for all of us. They give us the hope that we will achieve the essential goal we commonly seek of a world which is sustainable and supportive of all the world's people.
The March and the Future. The March is bringing together people in communities across the world to stand united with, not against, one another. Its has had success in attracting media, reaching politicians, and educating young and old. It's future success depends upon how well it is able to create sustainable networks that can mobilize citizenry and promote/build the structures necessary to implement nonviolent means of conflict resolution.
Other Topics. While nonviolent approaches are difficult they do not require more resources or commitment than military approaches. The latter is far less effective and will not lead to sustainability. It is naive to believe that we can simply kill our "enemies" to make a better world. Supporting humanity is the true path to our mutual benefit and survival through co-existence.

Peaceful Tomorrows Statemeno, read by Terry.
 "We stand at a site where loved ones suffered and died at the hands of other human beings. It is a site where destruction reigned, demonstrating humanity's capacity to harm their fellow men and women. We stand at a site where, through the smoke and flames, individuals valiantly struggled. Many braved the flames to help others, either staying behind or entering the towers in rescue operations. Some helping others did not make it out themselves. From all over New York, this country, and the world, support poured in. It is a site where tenacity and bravery and compassion reigned, demonstrating the best of humanity's capacity to serve their fellow men and women. This is a site for humanity to make its choice. Today, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and the International Network for Peace are joined by marchers and supporters of all faiths and backgrounds, from all around the world. Many are prominent world leaders while others are simply individuals who care about our common future. We have made the choice to dedicate ourselves to the service of our fellow men, women and children. We invite you to join us. Together we stand united, not against but for one another."

Terry & Memoscopio

nov/28/2009

video and written testimonio

English with Spanish translation

TMM051

Gloria Waslyn

Testimonio about the World March

.   Gloaria is a peace activist and career choach from New York, USA,  who took part in the days of World March activities in NYC, accompanied by   her three macaws. She wrote the following testimonio at a cafe, while debriefing with other participants about the ceremony for reconciliation that had just taken place at ground zero, in Manhanttan (translation below):

The March and I. My 3 blue & gold macaws, 11 and a half yr. old Mr. BABY and 12 yr old mate, Ms. MERLIN and their 1 yr old "son," Mr. PEACE-NIK, are The Parrots for Peace, Rain-forest Ambassadors and Spokes Avians for Wildlife and Nature (now with a child they also have a nuclear family against nuclear energy). They March in many "peace," "ecology," "green-sustainability” awareness events. They "performed" as peace ambassadors at the Vigil for International Peace, The World Peace Prayer Society and lecture at universities. Many one-on-one encounters at Pow Wows and clear-water events at the Beacon Sloop Club are opportunities to promote their message: "May there be peace and harmony between all people, animals and nature on our one shared mother earth."
The March and the World. It keeps alive the currency of a Compassion Philosophy in this time and circumstance so that non-violent activism are not relegated to a past time or different location than our hearts and minds in every moment and situation. One person can and does make a difference. Lift the despair by showing like-minded people can magnetize each other to  form a creative coalition to make positive change.
The March and the Future. The seeds get planted with every thought and action to form ripples of positive possibilities to take shape organically to manifest a world with alternative ways o resolve age old conflicts with the tools of language, hope, universal compassion and creative efforts.
Other Topics.The importance of understanding the interconnectedness of life is critical in building a new world peace

Gloria & Memoscopio

dec/01/2009

written testimonio

English

TMM037