CORTLAND - More than 100 participants walked Sunday from Prince of Peace Church to the city's administration building carrying signs ''Love Your Neighbor'' and ''Don't Bully, Live in Peace.''
The walk was part of the city's fourth annual Day of Peace held as part of the International Day of Peace.
The local event was organized by Clyde and Jean Bolinger, who held the first local event in 2009.
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''We celebrate peace not because we have it, but because we desperately need it and want it. We belong to a race of people whose history unfortunately includes many wars. Between 50 and 70 million humans lost their lives at the end of World War II and wars have continued,'' Clyde Bolinger said.
He said two bright spots in history are the formation of the United Nations and the United States Peace Institute in Washington, D.C., which moved into their new building in 2011.
''That building was constructed to further the efforts of peace on our planet,'' Bolinger said, adding that he has visited the building.
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More than 100 people participated in the fourth annual Day of Peace held Sunday in Cortland. Photo by Bob Coupland
During the day, there were special activities and celebrations, such as games at Prince of Peace.
Mayor Curt Moll said the day focuses on promoting peace and resolving world conflicts.
''There are peace activities being held at the local, national and international levels all aimed at peace-building,'' Moll said.
The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was held in September 1982.
In 2002 the General Assembly declared Sept. 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.