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During the Foundation's 30 Anniversary Year  at the "Roots and Shoots" Peace Day Celebration in Griffith Park, in Los Angeles on September 30th, 2006 - Unity Foundation's 30th Anniversary. During Unity Foundation's 30th Anniversary
year the foundation experienced remarkable growth in its non-profit
work in Los Angeles. On September 30th, the first day of the
organization's 30th Anniversary year, Unity Foundation organized
and managed the production for the "4th Annual Day of Peace
Celebration" in Los Angeles. This special event featured
a keynote address by Dr. Jane Goodall and a environmental message
from Julia Butterfly Hill. The celebration featured live music
from youth bands promoting Dr. Goodall's international "Roots
and Shoots" youth environmental programs, which were holding
Day of Peace celebrations simultaneously in many countries around
the world. The event also included environmental displays, wildlife
displays, pet adoptions and arts and crafts. The finale of the
celebration was the Parade of Giant Peace Doves, which were created
by youth involved in the "Roots and Shoots" programs
in Southern California. It was an inspiring experience for the
more than 1,000 people in attendance to see almost 50 of these
giant art creations on parade in LA's Griffith Park. The Day
of Peace Celebration in Los Angeles was produced by Dar and John
Zavalney. Unity Foundation's production staff coordinated and
managed the event. Mike Giangreco Productions coordinated the
stage management for the celebration.  On October 28th, Unity Foundation produced the "Hollywood Parade for World Peace". The parade was initiated by Harrison, the Host of the "Harrison on the Edge" radio program, in a conversation with Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. "Harrison on the Edge" is a program of LA's Progressive Talk Radio - KTLK AM 1150. Arun Gandhi presented the opening address for the parade, following his introduction by Harrison. Bill McCarthy, the Event Producer, then introduced Joanelle Romero, American Indian singer/songwriter and Producer of American Indian Heritage Month in Los Angeles, who was joined by her son in a performance of an "Honor Song" blessing the event. Following his address, Arun Gandhi immortalized his first step for peace on Hollywood Blvd. by placing his foot in plaster and initiating the "Hollywood Walk for Peace." The parade then began from the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Street and proceeded up the parade route on Hollywood Blvd. There were 17 contingents in the parade including children's groups with peace flags, Common Peace (the organization that works with Arun Gandhi on the yearly "Season of Nonviolence" honoring the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King) the Department of Peace Campaign, environmental organizations, spiritual organizations, cultural performers and giant Peace Doves. Throughout the parade there were dozens of beautiful banners celebrating the heros of the peace and nonviolence movements. The banners were designed by the Art Miles Mural Project, under the direction of Joanne Tawfilis. Many prominent peace activists and celebrities walked in the parade including: Cindy Sheehan, Ron Kovic, Mike Farrell, David Arquette, LeVar Burton, Daryl Hannah, Katey Sagal, Hal Sparks, Mimi Kennedy, Sally Kirkland, Lorraine Newman, Rick Overton and Arron Russo. Following the parade a "Celebration for World Peace and Global Unity" was presented in Plummer Park in West Hollywood. The celebration featured an array of multicultural performers. The event was highlighted by a keynote address by Arun Gandhi, a surprise appearance by Julie Chavez, the granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, and a speech by peace activist Cindy Sheehan. The celebration ended with the presentation of a Peace Pole to West Hollywood Mayor, John Heilman, and City Councilmember Abbe Land. The ceremony was led by Steve Nakada, President of the U.N. World Peace Bell Society of Los Angeles. The City of West Hollywood honored the organizers of the event with a proclamation for "The Parade for World Peace: One Human Family", recognizing their vision and outstanding efforts in the community. The "Hollywood Parade for World Peace" and "The Celebration for World Peace and Global Unity" were Executive Produced by Harrison, the Host of Harrison on the Edge" and Linda Blake, Harrison's Producer. Bill McCarthy, the President of Unity Foundation was the Event Producer for these special events. Unity Foundation's Los Angeles production staff coordinated and managed the events. Mike Giangreco Production provided stage management and the sound system for the "Celebration for World Peace and Global Unity." PHOTOS OF PEACE PARADE On December 10th, in commemoration of United Nations Human Rights Day, the United Nations Association of the USA Pacific-Los Angeles Chapter presented the Third Annual United Nations Association Los Angeles Film Festival, at the American Film Institute (AFI) in Hollywood. The film festival was presented in association with the American Film Institute (AFI), Unity Foundation, and the Women's Federation for World Peace. The afternoon program began with the screening of "Look Beneath the Surface" Identifying the victims of Human Trafficking. The film was followed by a Panel Discussion with the City of Los Angeles and the Commission on the Status of Women. The festival then premiered the film "Cargo: Innocence Lost", which unveils the dark underworld of sex trafficking in America. Following the screening, Michael Cory Davis, the Director/Producer of the film held a question and answer session with the audience. Then there was a series of short films on the vitally important work of United Nations humanitarian organizations around the world. The series was entitled "UN in Action." The final film of the afternoon was "Invisible Children". The film, by young first time filmmakers from Southern California, documents the plight of abducted children in Uganda and Darfur who are forced to become child soldiers. The evening program featured the Los Angeles Premiere of "White Rainbow", the acclaimed film from India, which tells the story of four remarkable women and their struggle to overcome the stigma and brutal reality of being a widow in certain areas of India. Following the screening, Linda Mandrayar, the Producer; and Dharan Mandrayar, the Writer/Director held a question and answer session with the audience. The evening also included a Reception with the Filmmakers. The Producers of The Third Annual United Nations Association Los Angeles Film Festival were Norma Foster, President of the United Nations Association of the USA Pacific-Los Angeles Chapter and Bill McCarthy, President of the Unity Foundation and a Vice-President of the Pacifc-Los Angeles Chapter. The production staff for the film festival was provided by UNA-USA Pacific-Los Angeles Chapter, Unity Foundation and the Women's Federation for World Peace. LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL POSTER |