Photos: Thousands gather as Walk for Peace passes through Richmond

(Max Posner for The Richmonder)

The Hardees at Walmsley Boulevard marked the entrance of the Walk for Peace into Richmond yesterday morning. As Venerable Monks from 5 countries and 4 U.S. states approached the city line, Richmonder Charles Willis proclaimed to a group of Chesterfield police officers: "Thank you Chesterfield, Richmond's got it from here."

Through the morning, the Venerable Monks maintained their hallmark meditative and efficient pace up U.S. Route 1, receiving offerings of food, water, and flowers from onlookers and praying for those they came upon who were dealing with a health issue or disability. Around mid-morning, the monks turned left at the intersection of Semmes and Cowardin Avenues to arrive at their lunch stop, Richmond Fire Station 17.

On leaving Station 17, the crowd that had assembled at the station and along the avenue mostly fell into line behind the cadre of monks, creating a mass of walkers around a quarter of a mile long following in their path toward City Hall.

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the monk leading the walk, spoke for the first time in days after falling ill. He said many of the monks are sick due to the walk and the cold temperatures, but they are determined to finish their work.

He also said the cause will continue even after their arrival in Washington, D.C., the walk's stated destination.

"Washington, D.C. is not the final destination, because we need world peace," he said. "World peace is something that we need to walk for for the rest of our life."

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger read proclamations saluting the mayor's. It was Spanberger's first as governor.

"We see (inspiration) in the belief and the commitment of the Venerable Monks who have been walking for 100 days to make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when you believe in something, you can bring people together in common cause," she said. "And so I want to say thank you to all of you for inspiring us and to the greater Richmond and Virginia community. Thank you for sharing in this inspirational moment."

Avula echoed those comments.

"This pilgrimage comes at a critical time when communities across our nation face rising mental health challenges, divisions, and global uncertainties, serving as a reminder that peace is not merely a destination, but a practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, to communities, and to our nation," he said.

Crowds follow the monks through downtown. (Graham Moomaw/The Richmonder)

Aloka the Peace Dog was also a part of a similar pilgrimage in India in 2022. (Victoria A. Ifatusin/The Richmonder)

The monks begin their journey across the Manchester Bridge. (Graham Moomaw/The Richmonder)

The monks spent the night at Virginia Union, and are scheduled to walk through Henrico and Hanover counties on Tuesday.

As the monks passed Kim Mangum and her daughter Laci, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, they stopped to tie a blessing cord (a bracelet symbolizing loving kindness and peace), on Laci's wrist, and recite prayers and blessings they bestow upon those they come across that suffer from a health issue or disability. Kim was noticeably moved by the gesture.

"I just feel like with everything that's going on in the world, right now, what they're doing in our country speaks volumes," she said. "It's just so peaceful. And what they just did...I can't describe the peace and the love that it makes you feel.

"They don't know her, they're not from here. ... People that even are from here can walk past and not even acknowledge her, but here they're from thousands of miles away, and they stopped. And not only acknowledged her, but prayed over her, and blessed her. It's unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. I'm in shock."

While waiting to see the monks amongst the crowd gathered outside Richmond Fire Station 17 with his daughters Coralee and Lela, Richmond musician Tim Barry expressed his appreciation of how the monks' walk acted as a unifying force for the community.

"It's a good time to get together and remember that your neighbors are good people, and get off the app, and get in real life, and interact," he said. "I think that's something that we're missing. And I think the monks passing through are reminding all of us that we're surrounded by good people, especially here in Central Virginia. It's pretty inspiring."

Sitting on top of an electrical box toward the end of the Venerable Monks talk on peace at City Hall, VCU student Anunaya Nareddy's head was bowed, her hands clasped in front of her face while praying with the monks.

"I feel like America has just been so lost for so long – community, dedication, just caring for someone more than ourselves when we've been taught 'Me. Me. What can I be? What can I become?' Nareddy said.

"And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just, there's more to us than just the individual. And I feel like Eastern countries definitely do prioritize the group more than the individual, but there is a middle ground that we can get to. And there is a path for everyone. And I feel like with them walking, just seeing how America has reacted to them, whether the good, the bad, whatever, it explains our country and what is happening."