Sticking with peace

Lansing Peace Vigil tries to attract attention with magnets

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Sharp-eyed patrons may have noticed some small, ceramic magnets popping up in Greater Lansing businesses. The magnets advertise the time and location of the weekly Lansing Peace Vigil.

Kathie Kuhn, an active member of the Peace Vigil community and a board member of the Peace Education Center, is responsible for the magnets.

Kuhn said she started creating the magnets when she was unable to make it to a Friday vigil because she had to be at her ceramics studio.

“I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll make a magnet that says ‘peace vigils’ and I’ll put it somewhere,’” Kuhn said. “The response has been nothing but positive.”

Every Friday at noon, the Lansing Peace Vigil community meets in front of the Capitol, rallying for a more peaceful world. The meetings began shortly after 9/11, as citizens gathered to encourage a peaceful response from the U.S. government.

“It’s an open arena and everybody’s welcome,” Kuhn said. “It’s not a place of violence. It’s a place for conversation and about speaking the truth and bearing witness.”

People who attend the vigils are motivated to bring signs that encourage peace. Signs in the past have said things like “Honk for Peace,” “Choose Love,” or “No More Torture.” The Peace Vigil Community also holds up signs pertaining to current events, such as police brutality and women’s rights.

“I feel maybe people walking or driving by need encouragement and feel all alone about the current state of affairs,” Kuhn said.

Despite the unpredictable Michigan weather, the Lansing Peace Vigil Community has met every Friday since it started in 2001.

“(The Peace Vigil community) has not skipped a beat,” Kuhn said. “It could be a rainy day and it always clears up around noon. It feels like the universe is on our side.”

Kuhn’s peace vigil magnets can be seen at Greater Lansing locations, including Gibson’s Books and Beans, Preuss Pets, the Avenue Café, Foods for Living, ELFCO, Unitarian Universalist Church, Espresso Royale, Sultan’s, Rubie’s Paradise Salon, Tobacco King, Allen Market Place, the Green Door, Heartdance Studio, Golden Harvest, the Soup Spoon Café and the Peoples Church.

Lansing Peace Vigil

Weekly meeting Noon-1 p.m. Friday

Capitol Building, Lansing

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