Philadelphia's First Poet Laureate Leads International Peace Day Celebration
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Penn Museum in University City is gearing up for an International Peace Day celebration on Sunday. The city's first Poet Laureate will lead the festivities.
"Considering the times right now, we need very much to do something," says peace activist and Philadelphia's first Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez.
With beheadings in the middle east and homicides in our own back yard, Sanchez says she'll lead Footprints of Peace, a day of art and performances designed to teach hundreds of children to avoid violence and opt for harmony.
"I teach the children, when people become aggressive toward you, back up and say 'I'm sorry my brother, I did not mean to offend you,'" Sanchez said. "The kids say, 'oh, no Sister Sanchez, people will think I'm a punk.' I say we can't worry what other people think. I'm teaching you to stay alive."
Footprints of peace will include a lineup of musicians, poets and artists and include showcases of peace murals and benches created this summer.
The festivities run from 11 to 4pm. You can find more details at peacedayphilly.org