Reflections on Peace Walk, “Walking Together for Peace”, September 27, 2025
After months of planning by members of VOW, Pax Christi Toronto, the Basilian Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation Centre, and a minister of the Mennonite Church, it was almost hard to believe that the day had arrived. But a group of us gathered, as planned, at the front of the Scarborough Village Theatre and Recreation Centre right on time bright and early on the morning of September 27, 2025.
The Walk was inspired by the fact that 2025 is the 80th Anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that September 26 is the UN International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. We set off with banners and signs speaking to Peace and to the banning of nuclear weapons, with Origami Peace Cranes donated by the Japanese community in Toronto, flyers to hand out with information on nuclear weapons abolition, and a Petition calling on the Canadian Government to make nuclear disarmament a foreign policy and national defense priority, and to urge all nuclear-armed states to accede to the TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons). Spirits were high as we were led forward by guests from India, veterans in the Gandhian work for peace and nonviolence. We were gifted with a most beautiful day.
It was moving to see the expression on people’s faces as we told them that we were walking for peace. They expressed gratitude, affirmation, and solidarity. As they were offered Peace Cranes, they were surprised and grateful. When we explained that we wanted Peace and also nuclear disarmament, responses varied from strong agreement to a hopelessness that this could ever happen. It was painful for me to hear a sense of powerlessness – “those guys are going to do just what they want, and we can’t do anything about it”. I wondered how we could help people to grow in a sense of power in changing policy and decisions. W assured them that we would not give up and would keep working to bring change.
Walking through different neighbourhoods and cultural communities felt a bit like a pilgrimage across the world. One of our Indian members was able to say a few words of greeting in a variety of languages, and this brought greater connection with those we met. Having passed through neighbourhoods earlier in the week to prepare businesses and places of worship for our Walk, we again stopped at a mosque, Madinah Masjid,and were warmly welcomed. On meeting young families, we could tell parents we were wanting to give their children a better world in which to live and grow.
As we walked, a bondedness was growing among the Walkers. We gradually had a chance to walk with different members, and we collaborated in holding the banners, handing out flyers, and Peace Cranes. New members joined along the way, including a Dad and his two young children. The energy of the children was a treat and they enthusiastically took over sharing the Cranes, charming and moving the hearts of those they approached.
The entrance to Nathan Phillips Square and the Peace Garden was joyful. We were greeted by Lyn Adamson and those who were assisting her in setting up the space for our welcome. Some people had come to join us at the Peace Garden and they immediately became part of the Walk for Peace. As all were invited to introduce themselves, it was moving to hear the variety of people gathered, all so committed to peace and disarmament. Food had been generously prepared by two young women from the Netherlands, and refreshing drink brought to us by a member of Pax Christi Toronto. How nurturing to sit, take in the gift of food and drink, and build community together! Our friends from India led us in a traditional Victory song from Inda often sung in Peace demonstrations. Our “Walking Together for Peace”, for now, was coming to an end, but we looked forward to more work together towards PEACE AND NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT.
Peace Walk, Sept 27, 2025, Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki
We undertake a 20 km walk to remember the horrors of nuclear warfare waged 80 years ago, and commit to the total elimination of these weapons. Among the walkers will be those who carry with them the spirit of Gandhi’s peace and nonviolence.
Plan to join us for part or all of the walk, which begins in Scarborough and ends at the Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square.
Contact Mary-Ellen for more information: sistermef@gmail.com
Inspiration for the Walk
2025 is the 80th Anniversary of the first uses of nuclear weapons resulting in unspeakably devastating deaths of over 210, 000 persons, with many more dying later as a result of exposure to radiation. The surviving population of Japan cried out for Peace, and an end to nuclear weapons. Yet today, an estimated 12, 400 nuclear weapons remain in the possession of 9 countries; several of these countries are modernizing their present stockpile. Other countries express a desire to have nuclear weapons. The ongoing threat of nuclear war at a time of great instability and conflict involving nuclear weapons states, is totally unacceptable and immoral.
September 26 is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, and this Walk calls for such a total elimination. The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), after 10 years of advocacy by ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and its partners, was adopted by the United Nations on July 7, 2017, and came into force on January 22, 2021, after being ratified by 50 nations world-wide. In 2025, 73 nations have ratified it. Sadly, Canada has not yet signed the Treaty. Humanitarian and environmental effects of nuclear weapons are strongly underlined in this Treaty, as well as the disproportionate effects on women, girls and Indigenous Peoples. “It prohibits nations from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, transferring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons, or allowing nuclear weapons to be stationed on their territory. It also prohibits them from assisting, encouraging or inducing anyone to engage in any of these activities.” (www.icanw.org).
A Paper Petition will call on Canada to make nuclear disarmament a foreign policy and a national defense priority, and urge all nuclear-armed states, and those under their umbrella (such as Canada) to accede to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), or negotiate, on an urgent basis, a new legally binding instrument that will achieve the same ultimate goal as the TPNW. This would make possible the building of a truly Just Peace in the world.
We hope to build community, increase the number of citizens engaged in nuclear weapons abolition, and put pressure on the Government of Canada to give priority to nuclear disarmament and to sign the TPNW.
Resources on Nuclear Weapons:
Route Information
Start 9:00 am – 21 km walk (gather in front of Scarborough Village Theatre: Kingston Rd at Markham Rd.)
2 – Warden Subway Station 11:30 pm – 12.5 km walk (gather at SW corner of Warden and St. Clair)
3 – Coxwell Subway Station 1:00 pm – 7.5 km walk (gather in park near SW corner of Coxwell & Danforth)
4 – Castle Frank Subway Station 2:30 pm – 3.5 km walk (gather in small park across from front entrance)
5 – Peace Garden – Nathan Philips Square – 4:30-5:00 pm (1OO Queen Street West)
[Times for gathering en route are estimated to be 30 minutes ahead of the Walk Start & Arrival]
For a detailed route outline, see below:
Path of the Walk: Scarborough Village Theatre to City Hall’s Peace Garden
TTC transportation to the Starting Point: Take subway to Kennedy Station. Transfer to several buses possible: #12, 86A, 116, 905 Express. Exit at Markham Rd. Walk a short distance south on Markham Rd. to Kingston Rd.
Beginning of our Walk on the lawn outside the Scarborough Village Theatre, corner of Markham Rd. and Kingston Rd. Gather at 9 a.m.; Walk to begin at 9:30 a.m.
We will then walk north again to Eglinton Ave, and continue west on Eglinton
At Danforth Rd., we will walk south to St. Clair Ave. and west on St. Clair.
At Warden Ave. and St. Clair, some new Walkers may join us, and, together, enter the Warden Woods Ravine Path. Along the Path, we will stop for a lunch break – PLEASE, bring your own lunch!
Following lunch, we will continue along the Path to meet Pharmacy Ave. and walk south on Pharmacy to Danforth Ave.
Walking east on Danforth Ave, some new Walkers may join us at the corner of Coxwell and Danforth.
Continuing along the busy Danforth, we will cross the viaduct, and then arrive at a small park in front of the Castle Frank subway station, where some new Walkers may join us. At this point, we are on Bloor St. E.
We will continue along Bloor to Sherbourne St., turn south on Sherbourne, pass through Allan Gardens to Gerrard St. We will walk along Gerrard to Bay St. and walk south on Bay to Nathan Phillips Square and the Peace Garden.
Arrival at Peace Garden, Nathan Pillips Square, City Hall, Toronto
The Peace Garden is dedicated to the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and its message for us today. The structure in the Garden symbolizes shelter and community, and with its incomplete roof, the vulnerability of our efforts to achieve peace. The Eternal Flame for Hiroshima and Naasaki is our hope; the Water from Nagasaki’s river represents our faith in the renewal of life.
The Spirit Garden carries the wisdom of Indigenous spirituality so at one with the Earth. A Kaswentha (Two-Row Wampum Walkway) connects the Tree of Peace to the Peace Garden and symbolizes the long-standing treaty agreements between Indigenous Peoples and settlers represented by 2 parallel lines, today a symbol of the peace and reconciliation we hope to grow into.
On arrival, there will be a festive gathering with key guests to welcome the Walkers and some refreshments to enjoy. Let’s celebrate our Walk for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament!
Recommended Activities “After the Walk”, and Before Re-Cycling the Handout.
- Consider signing an E-Petition asking the Canadian Government to sign and ratify the TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. (Check the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace website https://vowpeace.org/ and the website to which the QR code leads you, for the link to the E-Petition that will soon be available)
- Take time to go to the two resources listed above and learn something new about nuclear weapons and abolition.
- Make a Peace Crane yourself with a square piece of paper. Instructions: https://childrenspeacememorial.org/paper-cranes/
Send the Crane to your MP telling that person of the Walk you have made, the need for abolition of nuclear weapons, and asking that Canada sign the TPNW.
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