The NYPC aims to promote peace and non-violence programs in December. In 2010, the Governor, Mayor, and other officials declared December to be Peace Month in NYC. The NYPC partnership includes governmental and non-governmental organizations working to combat crime and violence through community programs during December focused on peace, respect, and responsibility. Proposed programs include community gun turn-ins, strengthening family bonds, youth mentoring, avoiding products promoting violence, and advocating for legislation supporting peace.

1. NYPC Mission:
To create and promote various programs of peace and non-violence during the month of
December.
Objective/Vision:
To see all creatures live a symbiotically peaceful coexistence.
In 2010, Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr. and New York State Senator Ruth Hassell- Thompson issued
proclamations to declare the month of December as Peace Month in New York City.
This historic moment was hosted in the Bronx Rotunda under the auspices of a diverse
cross section of elected officials from across the City, State and Federal agencies
including the Mayor’s Office, Bronx Borough President Office, Bronx District Attorney,
New York State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, DYCD, the New York Police
Department, New York City Parks, African Union Day Foundation, Bangladeshi
American National Democratic Society, USA, Inc, and several other elected officials.
This initiative was born out of the need to lower the crime and violence that takes place in
New York City every year and to herald a call for peace, respect and responsibility. With
proclamations from the governor, the mayor and series of endorsements from elected
officials, government agencies, the clergy and community leaders, the momentum to
celebrate December as a peace month is galvanizing diverse communities from across
New York City to partner in the process.
The New York Peace Coalition partnership is an embodiment of governmental and

2. nongovernmental organizations and initiatives that include Adopt-A-Friend, Bronx
Clergy Task Force, NAACP Parkchester Branch, New York Center For Conflict
Dialogue, LaCrown Initiatives- It Takes A Village Inc, African Union Day Foundation,
Latin America-Muslim Women Organization, Islamic Leadership School, St Ann Anti
Violence Program, Vishnu Mandir Hindu Temple, The Garifuna Community, The Mayor
and the Bronx Borough President Offices, Bronx District Attorney, NYS State Senator
Ruth Hassell- Thompson, Kuki Ndiho Rwanda Orphans Support Project, DYCD, NYC
Parks and JCRC-Cause-NY, Islamic Cultural Center of North America, just to name a
few.
Why December?
December is the month of the winter solstice. Nights are long and, between the increased
darkness and the changing social patterns that ensue from the December holidays, many
communities experience increased incidents of violence, larceny, and hate crime. Many
communities have traditions of bringing light to this darker time of year: candles are lit
for Kwanzaa and Hannukah, trees are decorated with lights for Christmas, and fireplaces
and decorative lights are enjoyed by all. Peace December is our way of shining a more
proverbial light into the darkness of winter by creating programming aimed directly at
combatting the darkness within our society. Instead of the darkness of violence, hatred
and intolerance, we hope to promote the light of peace, respect, and diversity.
Declaring December a Peace Month will not only reduce violence but create a communal
sense of responsibility to focus our minds on programs that lead to peace. It is an
excellent way to enter a new year.
Proposed Programs during Peace December.
(i) General Programmatic Landscape in Reflecting on Peace- All activities taking place in
the five borough of the city in December must be commensurate with an awareness of
peace. This may take different forms be it in the churches, mosques, synagogues, temples,
community centers, schools, for-profit companies or law enforcement activities. This
concept will not offer any guided prescription on how this will be done. It will be at the
prerogative of the individual, the organizing party or any undertaking that will be doing
any activity in the five boroughs of the city.
(ii) Community Joint Collaborative Programs with the District Attorneys Offices and the
law enforcement community. – Both the community and law enforcement agencies, the
District Attorneys, the NYPD, families and community leaders will choose a day within
December on which the residents will surrender their illegal guns and other weapons
without questions asked. The modalities and implications that may come with this
exercise may be discussed with the concerned parties ahead of December.
(iii) Peaceful Roses- Renewal of vows by couples, families and committed individuals
during Peace December shall strengthen bonds, rejuvenate relationships, protect family
values and prevent juvenile delinquencies. It is highly recommended for families to have

3. Peace December dinners, whereby members ask forgiveness from each other, couples
exchange roses and employers celebrate harmony day.
(iv) Peace Patrol- Mentors, leaders, educators, politicians, Law enforcement, volunteers,
others…, set a day (s) to spend mentoring time with the youth and those susceptible to
committing crimes.
(v) Peace Shopping- We encourage all consumers to avoid buying tools of violence,
including bomb making materials, nuclear/ biological weapons, illegal firearms, hate-
promoting materials, violent toys and gadgets, advertisements in violent media, etc…
(vi) Media & entertainment Peace-Media programming, Hollywood movies, Broadway
shows, Entertainments and sports activities must all recognize Peace December.
(vii) Diplomatic Diaspora Peace- Since New York is home to not only the United
Nations, but also to people from all nations, UN permanent representatives holding
forums and events during December dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence among
their nationals in the city would pave ways for national peaceful dialogues in their home
countries.
(viii) Story-sharing for peace- Sharing stories of survival, pain, abuse, injustice, actions,
feelings, forgiveness and forward-planning on the side of crime victims, as well remorse,
repent, repair and asking genuine forgiveness on the side of perpetrators, bring healing
and closure to a crime.
(ix) Preservation of Nature and Animal Life- For example the Special Prevention for the
Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) in conjunction with Advocates for animals and organizations
such as the Bronx Zoo may host a series of activities to raise awareness on easing human
cruelty towards animals.
(x) Disaster Relief and Community Development- Different groups can also focus on
global disasters such as the Tsunami, Haiti Earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and other
disasters that have called for peaceful coalitions to solve environmental problems.
(xi) Peace Advocacy- During December, we encourage citizens to engage their elected
officials in sponsoring sensible bills, despite special interest group lobbying to the
contrary. Legislators must work with and allocate funds for peace and nonviolence
programs in their localities.
(xii) Peace December Chapters- Individuals and organizations are encouraged to open
Peace December chapters in big cities worldwide.
Website :http://peacedecember.org/