Akron, Ohio, April 28, 2003- People for Peace of Greater Akron will sponsor the Mothers and Others March (MOM) for Peace & Justice on Saturday May 10, 2003. Our rally begins at 2:00 p.m., at the corner of West. Exchange and Locust Streets (the southwest corner of Perkins square), in the shadow of Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. Thus, our rallying point symbolizes birth, life and hope. It evokes the bombed Iraqi hospitals. It also represents the veterans and civilians throughout the United States who lack adequate social services due to misplaced national priorities. Our rally will feature speakers from The National Organization for Women (NOW), the Akron Chapter of the Million Woman March, the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), the Campus Community Against War (CCAW), Students Taking Action for a New Democracy (STAND), the American Friends Service Committee, and The Way to Christ Ministries. We will march to Glendale Cemetery and conduct a short memorial service to honor the lost lives, both civilian and military, outside the Glendale Civil War Chapel. The featured speaker will be Mary Powell Reynolds, former nurse and Vietnam War veteran.

The first national Mother's Day was officially recognized in 1914. Julia Ward Howe started the concept as a Mother's Day for Peace in 1870. Julia Ward Howe is famous for the poem that became the well renowned song, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Julia Howe was a strong advocate for peace, working for widows, orphans and economic reform. She believed, unwaveringly, that peace is patriotic.

This initiative for peace is part of local efforts in concert with the AFSC national NO MORE VICTIMS campaign, launched to assist victims and survivors of the September 11 tragedies. The campaign supports work at home and abroad to mobilize support for peaceful solutions. The AFSC is a Quaker-related social action organization committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. AFSC's programs throughout the world focus on issues related to peace building, demilitarization, economic and social justice, and youth enrichment programs.

Sponsored by People for Peace of Greater Akron For more information, call American Friends Service Committee at 330-253-7151