Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace (BNP) will hold a vigil and march in Delmar at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Delmar’s Four Corners (Kenwood and Delaware avenues) to commemorate the worldwide demonstrations on Feb. 15, 2003, against the Iraq War.
The date also marks the founding of BNP.
Five years ago, on Feb. 15, 2003, the world witnessed the largest anti-war demonstration in history as coordinated rallies took place in more than 800 cities around the world and on every continent, including Antarctica.
The Delmar area’s recent anti-war movement came into being shortly before
the 2003 rally with the fast for peace organized by Women Against War. Soon after, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace was formed. One of BNP’s first activities was a candlelight vigil, during which 350 people walked from Four Corners in Delmar past the Bethlehem Town Hall and back again.
Today, there are Neighbors for Peace groups in Bethlehem, Voorheesville, Guilderland, Pine Hills, Schenectady, Niskayuna, Troy and South Rensselaer, as well as other peace organizations, such as the Saratoga Peace Alliance, Chatham Peace Initiate, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace and Women Against War.
BNP will host a re-creation of its candlelight march on Feb. 15.
The group invites all other peace organizations and all people who want peace to join them at Four Corners.`