Walk pushes peace and a giant stone
By Theresa Edo / News Staff Writer
Sunday, July 25, 2004

The solemn "Stonewalk" memorial will roll through MetroWest and the Milford area this week in what organizers say is a unique witness to the reality of war.

Volunteers will begin Wednesday pushing a 1,400-pound granite memorial stone from Boston to New York to honor all unknown civilians killed in war. They will visit 33 towns including Newton, Wellesley, Sherborn, Holliston, Milford and Uxbridge by Sept. 2.

The walk is organized by September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a group of more than 130 family members of 9/11 victims, and Sherborn's Peace Abbey, a multi-faith retreat center. It is meant to be a symbolic act, said Peaceful Tomorrow's co-chairman David Potorti.

"Some people have said this is a protest, and it isn't," said Potorti, who lost his brother Jim Potorti in the 9/11 attacks. "We want to remind politicians in Boston, New York City and elsewhere there is always a human cost in war. I think we forget that when we chose to drop bombs."

The Stonewalk was scheduled to coincide with the Democratic National Convention in Boston and the Republican National Convention in New York City, and to culminate just before the 9/11 anniversary.

"It's a symbolic way of bringing our two cities togetter. Forget about the Yankees and Red Sox," said Potorti.

Each day, volunteers will start around 9 a.m. pulling the stone on a caisson, or cart. Individuals and members of other non-violent groups, such as Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out, will join at various times, Potorti said.

"We're going to stop and share our stories and hear from speakers about experiences in other parts of the world," said Potorti. "When people get together to talk and find common ground, I think it reduces their anger, their fears, their apprehension."

The memorial stone was created by Lewis Randa at The Peace Abbey. It was the centerpiece of a 1999 Stonewalk, when it journeyed from Massachusetts to Arlington National Cemetery.

Peace Abbey volunteer Dot Walsh said the group supports the walk's dramatic statement of solidarity with victims of terrorism, violence and war from around the world.

"We totally supported it because we believe in the message of the stone and the work that Peaceful Tomorrows is doing," said Walsh. "This is not to be a partisan journey, but a journey of remembrance."

The focus of the walk is meant to be on the human costs of war, which transcend politics, nationality or religious affiliation, organizers said.

"We're inviting everybody, regardless of your political pursuasion. We're telling everyone to leave their political signs at home," said Potorti. "Let's take a moment to honor the dead."

But, politicians need to make peace a priority, said Potori. The group is also asking people to support House Resolution 1673, which would create a cabinet level department of peace, he said.

"We need to give our troops the resources to wage peace. They need training to be peacekeepers," said Potorti.

Members of Peaceful Tomorrows and Families of 9/11 were scheduled to begin their journey after speaking at the Boston Social Forum. They will travel through Rhode Island and Connecticut before reaching New York City, where it will remain until the group's commemoration of Sept. 11.

Local walks and events include:


July 30, Newton to Wellesley, a vigil and speaking event at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington St. at Chapel Place, Wellesley Hills. Exact time and details will be posted at www.whcc-ucc.org.


July 31: Wellesley to Natick and Sherborn, end at the Peace Abbey, Two North Main St., Sherborn, more information is at www.peaceabbey.org.


Aug. 1: Sherborn to Holliston. Peaceful Tomorrows receives Peace Abbey's "Courage of Conscience" award in noontime ceremony, speaking event at Holliston First Congregational Church, 725 Washington St., at 7 p.m. More details are available at www.hollistonucc.org.


Aug. 2: Holliston to Milford, speaking event at New England Sikh Study Circle, 204 East Main St., Milford, 7:30 p.m. Further details are available at http://nesscma.tripod.com/index2.htm.


Aug. 3: Milford to Hopedale, Mendon and Uxbridge, speaking event at Community House, 3 Court St., Uxbridge, 7 p.m.

For more details visit the Web site www.peacefultomorrows.org.

( (Theresa Edo can be reached at 508-626-3919 or tedo@cnc.com.) )