Vaughan Celebrates Diversity at Annual Peace Tree Day Event
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More than 300 residents and community group members joined Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council to celebrate the City of Vaughan’s sixth annual Peace Tree Day celebration at North Thornhill Community Centre on June 12.
“This is a City that celebrates diversity, welcomes and supports its newcomers, and inspires young people to take pride in their heritage and share it with their peers,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “Although we may come from different backgrounds, we have many things in common – family, friends, the noble purpose of being of service to each other and promoting the public good. We find strength in our diversity.”
Inspired by the award-winning film The Peace Tree by Mitra Sen, Peace Tree Day is an annual festival for youth and families of every culture and faith to share and celebrate peace and diversity through the arts. This year’s event featured an official welcome from Members of Council, a special performance by motivational speaker and singer Errol Lee, a martial arts demonstration by Shaolin monks, and free recreational activities. In addition, the Peace Tree Ambassador Award was presented to former York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge. The event emcee was Naomi Parness of CTV.
"The message of the Peace Tree is about sharing and embracing the many different cultures and faiths within our society. We not only benefit from the richness of this diversity, but it also teaches us to be more tolerant and respectful of one another," said Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. "I am delighted that Council has proclaimed the entire month of June as Peace Tree Month, and through this effort, we can continue to create greater awareness of the very vibrant and multicultural society that we all live in."