We Started a New Movement for Justice and Peace in Glendale

Guest post by Johnny Donovan, glendaleOUT

A Peace Walk was held on Sunday, May 23, 2021 in Glendale, California, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work. Hundreds of participants met together at the YWCA and joined together on a walk down Glendale Avenue past City Hall, the Police Department, and GUSD headquarters, ending at the Glendale City Church.

Modeled on similar events around the country, Glendale’s Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk is a moving witness to our passion to continue Dr. King’s work of justice right here in our city until every resident has peace, security and stability. 

Children, teens and adults young and old were brought together through positive messages and signs proudly held up by attendees.

On this day, I was not only representing my church, my community, and my personal passion to diversity, but also glendaleOUT, Glendale’s grass-roots LGBTQIA+ organization. As a queer group, we are committed to integrating the diverse community into the broader Glendale narrative through political action, community building, and social connection.

This weekend‘s peace walk was a perfect opportunity to connect with the over a dozen local organizations and groups, as we collectively spoke out against racism and hate. To connect the BLM movement with the gay rights topic, I chose to use images and a quote from Bayard Rustin. “The proof that one truly believes is in action.” And I believe it.”