Anti-War Protest In Newark Will Channel ‘Original Purpose’ Of Mother’s Day

NEWARK, NJ — NJ Against US War on Syria and in the Middle East, a coalition of organizations that value peace, will hold an anti-war rally from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 2 at the MLK Statue located at MLK Blvd and 13th Avenue (near the Old Records Hall) in Newark.

According to a news release from organizers, all are welcome to the rally.

“Mothers in particular will be encouraged to speak out in the spirit of the original purpose of Mother's Day: a call to action to improve the lives of families through health and peace,” organizers stated.

“I was surprised to learn that the first ‘Mother’s Day’ was actually an anti-war protest led by Julia Ward Howe on June 2, 1872,” said Laura Genna, chairperson of the Green Party of Essex County. “It inspired me to hold a similar event in honor of my mother, as well as mothers and parents in general. Whether we have children, want to have children, or know people with children, we need to work together to create the best world possible - both now and for future generations. A key to creating that better world is to reclaim the resources that are being wasted on war and invest them in social programs, such as education and universal healthcare.”

• See related article: New Jersey Green Party Condemns U.S. Missile Strike, Bombing

Friday’s protest is supported by organizations including NJ Against US War on Syria and in the Middle East, the Green Party of Essex County, NJ Peace Action, the Green Party of Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties, Occupy Bergen County and the Green Party of New Jersey.

Anyone interested in more information about the event can contact Theresa Markila at GPofMSW@gmail.com.

U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert S. Price

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