Atlanta – On Saturday, Sept. 26, 94‑year‑old former mayor, U.S. congressman and U.N. ambassador Andrew Young led a mile‑long peace walk through Rodney Cook Sr. Park in the historic Vine City neighborhood. The event, organized by the Andrew Young Foundation and local volunteers, combined a walking tribute with a living history lesson for residents, faith‑based groups and civic leaders.
Local leaders and families join the march
Young arrived on a motorized scooter, followed by city council members, foundation donors, neighborhood residents and several faith‑based organizations. The route passed the bronze statues of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rep. John Lewis and Young himself, allowing the former ambassador to pause at each monument and share personal recollections.
Message of non‑violence rooted in faith
“If you get up on a pretty Saturday morning and walk a mile for peace, you still believe that all things are possible,” Young said, quoting the biblical charge from Matthew 25 that adorns his own statue: “Feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and heal the sick, and set at liberty those who are oppressed.” He emphasized that the United Nations, despite its flaws, remains a forum where nations can express disagreements without resorting to war.
Connecting past struggles to today’s challenges
While stopping before King’s likeness, Young recalled King’s inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and the 1960 presidential campaign in which President John F. Kennedy called Coretta Scott King while her husband was jailed after an Atlanta protest. Young argued that Kennedy’s personal outreach helped shift Southern support toward the Democratic ticket, a reminder that small acts of compassion can have national impact.
At the John Lewis statue, Young praised Lewis’s quiet courage, noting that the civil‑rights leader “was a leader always in the middle of the pack, encouraging people to do things they were not normally courageous enough to do.” He urged today’s youth to follow that example, especially as the world faces ongoing wars and nuclear threats.
Vision for a global peace movement
The walk coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Its originator, comedian‑entrepreneur Les McCurdy, hopes the Atlanta event will spark a worldwide effort to have one billion people walk a mile on Sept. 26, drawing attention to nuclear disarmament. “It shouldn’t be an angry protest; it should be a celebration of life,” McCurdy told the crowd.
Local impact and future plans
The Andrew Young Foundation announced plans to build the Andrew Young International Institute for Peace and Reconciliation on a hill overlooking the park. The institute will host educational programs, faith‑based dialogues and community service projects aimed at strengthening families and neighborhoods.
Residents expressed enthusiasm for the event’s family‑friendly atmosphere. “It’s wonderful to see our elders sharing wisdom with our kids in a safe, peaceful setting,” said local parent Maria Torres, who attended with her two children.
Continuing the legacy of service
Young’s own story—growing up in New Orleans, witnessing segregation, and later serving as a close aide to Dr. King—underscores the power of personal responsibility and faith‑guided service. He recalled his father’s advice: “Don’t get mad. Get smart.” That counsel, he said, remains relevant for today’s citizens facing cultural and political division.
The peace walk demonstrated how a historic city can honor its civil‑rights heritage while promoting a forward‑looking vision of peace, family unity and faith‑based service. As the mile‑long march concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and set at liberty those who are oppressed—principles that have guided Atlanta’s community for generations.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
