John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance” blasted through speakers as about 40 flash mob dancers gathered at the Arizona Center fountain near the Downtown campus to celebrate the International Day of Peace on Monday.

This year marked the 27th annual Day of Peace, which was created by the United Nations.

“These events are really just a collaboration from so many different parts of the community,” said Malissa Geer, community engagement liaison for the College of Public Programs. “We’ve had such a blend of help and activities.”

Aside from mob flash dancing, there was a closing ceremony at Civic Space Park in the evening that included speakers, dancers and readings.
Glendale Community College dance professor C-C Braun choreographed the flash mob dance.

She said she began teaching participants in May and has held two classes every month since.

“The dance has a lot of different layers,” Braun said. “Most of it I choreographed, but there are parts that are freestyle and parts that the dancers made up on their own.”

Braun said she thought celebrating International Day of Peace is important because many people don’t spend enough time or energy focusing on peace.

“I feel this one day transcends to other days and other acts of peace,” Braun said. “Today teaches people what it means to be peaceful and what peaceful activities are, something that a lot of people, especially in this country, take for granted.”

One speaker at the closing ceremony was James Garcia, a professor at the West campus, a playwright whose writing focuses on civil rights.

“One of things that I think Day of Peace shows is how easy it is to promote peace,” Garcia said. “Anyone can promote peace, and it costs nothing to wage peace.”

As part of International Day of Peace, there has been an ongoing international art exhibition displayed in the University Center at the Downtown campus.

The theme of the exhibit is peace, mind and body wellness.

It will be displayed until Jan. 11. The exhibit showcases more than 100 pieces of art, including one painting created by local artist Nubia Owens.

“We need something that involves all of us — art and peace both satisfy that,” Owens said. “Without peace, we can’t sleep, can’t work, can’t shop, can’t eat. Without peace, we can’t do anything.”

Reach the reporter at sheydt@asu.edu.