AIC Students Walk a Mile for Peace in Springfield, MA, USA

MassLive   
April 19th, 2011

Credit: flickr/WikiMedia

By Elizabeth Roman

With constant mentions of violence and crime in the city, students at American International College wanted to get the word out that Springfield can be a great place to live.

“We wanted students and people who live in this community to come together and walk for peace in the city,” said Justin D. Roberts, the student body president and organizer of the event.

The Walk for Peace was held at the college running track on Cortland Street, Sunday, and was hosted by the college’s student government and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Students and other Springfield residents walked a mile on the track to support peace in the city.

Mary C. Akers, the assistant director of athletics at the college, helped organize the event and walked a mile as well.

“I think it’s important for students to participate in these events and get to know the community they live in,” she said. “Springfield can be a beautiful place to live, and there are many wonderful things happening in the city that do not include crime and violence.”

Tyleisia Cooper, 9, of Springfield attended the walk with her mother and her cousins. A student at Mary Lynch School, she wanted to walk in support of peace for her community.

“I just want to thank all of the people who fight for peace and I want to fight for peace too, so I think it’s important to walk,” she said.

Her mother Jena Cooper and her cousin Daylonna Brantley, 7, also participated in the walk.

“It’s always a good time to advocate for peace,” Cooper said. “I wanted to come out here with them and support an event that calls for a stop to violence,” she said.

Story originally appeared at The Republican

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