In 2002, the Art of Peace exhibits/events in Duluth sprung up as a response to the events of 9/11 and the resulting Iraq War. From those events, the Echoes of Peace Choir (led by Sara Thomsen) was born. The choir and its associated nonprofit organization still thrive.

Once again a grass roots effort has sprung up in Duluth to address violence, injustice and the erosion of our democratic principles. A peaceful, artistic event is planned in response to the president’s visit to Duluth on June 20. In just a few short days, a grassroots impromptu group of individuals and nonprofit organizations have put together a diverse program with members of our community.

This is, in effect, a new Art of Peace event in Duluth.

Soulstice: A Celebration of Peace, Love and Democracy is a free concert and community gathering at Leif Erikson Park on Wednesday, June 20. It begins at 5 p.m.

The event will be both performance and community engagement. The theme is the expression of democracy: compassion, social justice, peace and love. We will be sharing song, music, poetry and passionate issue-based speech. Our performers and speakers are from northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program includes musicians, poets and social activists.

Attendees are encouraged to bring signs. The public is asked to participate, to engage with each other, and to share what matters to them.

Official sponsors are the Duluth chapter of the national organization Veterans for Peace, and the local nonprofit Echoes of Peace” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Echoes of Peace. Many other nonprofit organizations have signed on as supporters. The event is now part of the Forward Coalition.