RICHMOND — Thousands of people mobbed the streets Monday near the State Capitol, police lights flashing, voices ringing out. But it wasn’t politics that brought so many onto sidewalks piled with ice in a freezing wind. It was the sight of 19 Buddhist monks in burnt-orange robes trudging up Ninth Street on the 100th day of a walk from Texas to D.C.
Carrying a message of peace.
“It’s just the sense of peace and unity that we need in this country right now,” said Laura Bradlee, 45, of Richmond, holding a bouquet of orange flowers. “It’s just a really powerful moment to be a part of … This gives us hope.”
Richmond police cleared some of the city’s busiest downtown intersections for the monks to make their way past the Capitol in an unusual display for an area more used to gun-rights rallies or racial justice demonstrations. The mayor’s office estimated 10,000 people lined the route through the city. Some officers gave flowers to the walkers as they passed, surrounded by crowds yelling “we love you” or “thank you.” City and state officials — some of whom had ducked out of the nearby General Assembly session, where partisan combat is on full display — greeted them at City Hall.
It was a moment for Virginians “who want to be inspired, who need a bit of inspiration,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said from the steps of City Hall to a crowd whose size rivaled that of her inauguration two weeks before. The monks’ visit made 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.”
The Walk for Peaceis a 2,300-mile, 120-day event that began in Fort Worth and is bringing its message of unity and reflection to the nation’s capital. It is expected to arrive in the District on Feb. 10.
“We have less than 200 miles to reach our final destination, Washington D.C.,” group spokesman Neeraj Bajracharya told the crowd. The walk had so far crossed eight states, and the monks planned to spend Monday night at Virginia Union University in Richmond before continuing north.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula proclaimed the event “an incredible moment” that shined a light on “peace and love and unity in a time where our country so badly needs it.”
Crowds pressed against metal barriers outside City Hall, spectators straining to get video on their phones. Many fell silent and closed their eyes when Bhikkhu Pannakara, the monks’ leader, asked them to pause and feel their heartbeats.
Elisa Hayden, 37, of Richmond, stood with a stroller containing two heavily bundled little girls. “I think this is a time in our country where we need a lot of peace,” she said as the crowd began to disperse. “It was great to just be with community … and just kind of emphasize to our little ones that peace begins with us.”
“It’s really showing us what we can do as mankind to really do our small part to unite us as people, as humans,” said Gwendolyn Davis, 62, of Highland Springs. “I’m happy to be here at this time. I’m so happy to be alive at this time.”
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