Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace is a grassroots group of neighbors from the Merriam Park neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota, and surrounding neighborhoods in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Twin Cities suburbs, who came together in February 2003 to share information and speak out with a unified voice against the war on Iraq. We are dedicated to pursuing peaceful, non-violent alternatives in every area where conflicts arise, promoting social justice and tolerance, conserving natural resources and the environment in which we live, and protecting human rights and civil liberties in Minnesota, the United States, and the rest of the world.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Panel Presentation: The Effects of U.S. Sanctions on Iraq, Iran and North Korea

Monday, December 10, 2012

Candlelight Vigil: Seeking Two Million Friends to End the War in Afghanistan

Peace Store

Twin Cities Plant Pink for Peace Campaign Begins in Merriam Park Neighborhood of St. Paul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Paul, MN – April 18, 2003 – As anti-war lawn signs sprouted up around the Merriam Park neighborhood of St. Paul this winter, peace activists wondered what else might sprout in the name of peace and non-violence in the spring. "We were looking for other ways for people to show their support for peace," says Susan Damon, an avid gardener and neighborhood activist. "It was natural to think of gardening."

Drawing inspiration from the popular Code Pink campaign, Damon and other gardeners with Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace have launched the Plant Pink for Peace program this spring. "Pink has become the color of peace," Damon said. "But we thought white was also a good choice, so we are encouraging gardeners to use these colors together." The campaign asks gardeners to use these colors in front of their homes and businesses, on boulevards, in containers, and in front yard gardens. "Moving beyond our back yards makes the garden more public, more a part of the community, and more social," she said. "Plus, it makes a statement. We want to see miles of pink in Merriam Park and the rest of the Twin Cities."

Elisa Cady, another Twin Cities gardener, said linking gardening with peace just makes sense. "Gardening is about life, sustaining beauty, and regeneration. Plus, it is another way for us to feel good about working for peace. We need places to gather and share our hopes for the world. What better place than a garden?"

Throughout the season, Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace will provide suggested plants lists and boulevard gardening tips in addition to organizing regular plant exchanges at neighbors' gardens. The first Garden Gathering will be held at Alice Tibbetts' home at 2015 Iglehart Avenue in St. Paul on Sunday, May 11, 4:00–5:30 p.m. Gardeners should bring labeled plants to share.

The Plant Pink for Peace committee meets as part of the general Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace meeting on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room in the basement of St. Mark's Catholic Church, 2001 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul (enter through the NW corner door). Anyone who wants to work together with others for peace and related causes and bring an educational message of non-violence to his or her Twin Cities neighborhood is invited to attend meetings or subscribe to the MPPeace mailing list.

For more information about Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace or the Plant Pink for Peace campaign, or to volunteer, please visit the group's web site at http://www.mppeace.org or contact:

Susan Damon

Phone: (651) 645-7709

E-mail: gardens@mppeace.org

Alice Tibbetts

Phone: (651) 647-1304

E-mail: gardens@mppeace.org

For more information on Code Pink, please visit their web site at http://codepink.utne.com.

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