Although the Benedictines for Peace organization is located on the other side of the world, it still tries to make a difference in the war.
On Wednesday the Benedictine Sisters organized a “Gaza Peace Walk,” advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and raising awareness about the region.
“This five-mile walk together is an opportunity to really feel that we are not alone in our suffering and that the people of Gaza are not alone in their suffering,” said Jacqueline Sanchez-Small, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.
The walk began at Beach One and took participants along Presque Isle. Everyone carried a sign that read “Gaza Peace Walk.”
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Sanchez-Small said many people across the country have taken part in peace walks to raise awareness of the situation in Gaza.
On Wednesday, a group of people gathered on the trails of Presque Isle for a peace walk. But the walk represented something much bigger.
“People in Erie and across the country have really committed to walking 25 miles as a prayer for the people of Gaza. 25 miles is the length of Gaza, so walking that step by step throughout the summer gives you a sense of how small this area really is,” said Anne McCarthy, coordinator of Benedictines for Peace.
More than two million Palestinians live in the area, which is about 5 miles wide. According to McCarthy, 90 percent of the people living there have been displaced by the war.
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Another supporter of the peace march said he is participating to show solidarity with the people living in Gaza.
“The search for justice, and the choice for peace, and the choice for love for other people abroad, are very important to me. I think this is a defining issue in whether we prioritize politics or love for humanity,” said Adam Chiocco, a supporter.
The peace walk also raised money for Mercy Corps, a humanitarian organization that provides aid to families affected by the war in Gaza.
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