BANGOR — The Peace and Justice Center’s 25th annual Harvest Supper will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 120 Park St. This year the center will honor physician and activist Dr. Peter Millard of Belfast with the Hands of Peace Award.
“My biggest feeling is inadequacy,” Millard said about the prospect of receiving the award. “There is so much to do and so many challenges we face both in Maine and U.S., and in the world. There’s feeling of not really deserving it. So many people are putting so much energy into peace and justice.”
Millard advised those working toward peace and justice in the world to persevere in their work.
“Don’t give up,” he said. The world has always been a difficult place for peace and justice — it’s a lot better than hundreds of years ago, but I’m not sure about 50 years ago.” Millard said that if government is the biggest purveyor of violence in the world, it is hard to see a big difference in gains in either domestic or international peace and justice. Yet, he said things have gotten better over time. “People must organize and struggle, but it’s never easy. Don’t give up. Be active, don’t give up making the effort,” he said.
For decades, Milliard has been a steadfast supporter of peace, justice and environmental concerns in Maine and abroad. With his wife Emily, he spent three years in Zimbabwe and more recently five years in Mozambique setting up an AIDS teaching hospital.
He served on the initial Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine steering committee and has supported the center since its inception. He was a leader in the Nuclear Freeze effort, working with Physicians for Social Responsibility to preparedness for the consequences of a nuclear attack. An outspoken critic of the U.S. intervention in Iraq, he organized Bridges for Peace banners, spoke at rallies, and coordinated planting and maintaining white flags to commemorate those who died in Iraq.
Last year he supported the Climate Summit in Augusta and made it possible for busloads of students to participate in the event. He has been active with the Environmental Health Strategy’s campaign.
He and his wife Emily also have supported PICA, Food AND Medicine, and many other social change organizations.
The public is invited to attend the event to honor Millard’s contributions and celebrate all efforts for peace, justice and sustainability.
The event will offer vegetarian potluck and the songs of Voices for Peace, directed by Marty Kelley. Bring a vegetarian dish to share. A suggested donation of $10 will benefit the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine.
For information, call the center at 942-9343 or e-mail info@peacectr.org.