Clevelanders plan to set a tone of peace and love for the Republican National Convention (RNC), by gathering in unity and in silence on July 17, opening day of the convention.
Circle the City with Love is a nonpartisan, no-labels, no-issue event organized by a collaboration of faith-based communities. It will bring together Clevelanders representing the diversity of Northeast Ohio to stand in intentional silence for 30 minutes. Participants will hold hands from 3-3:30pm while standing on the Hope Memorial Bridge connecting Lorain and Carnegie Avenues. The bridge unites Cleveland’s east and west sides and rises above the city’s historic origin.
The idea for Circle the City with Love originated with Sr. Rita Petruziello of the Congregation of St. Joseph, who hopes for a peaceful event to demonstrate the unifying power of love in the world.
“By standing in unity and intentional silence, we will embody the power of love that brings peace and justice to our city, our country and our world at this important moment in our city’s history,” Sr. Rita said. The event is also a way for Clevelanders to showcase who they are and how they welcome visitors to the city, she noted.
Sr. Rita said the idea for Circle the City with Love originated in March, on the feast day of St. Joseph. “I was talking with a group of friends, and we were all exasperated with the negativity and the shenanigans going on in our political world. Then someone said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could circle our city with love for the upcoming convention?’ Circle the City with Love is actually the name of a song that one of the sisters in our congregation wrote. After our conversation that day, that thought kept lingering with me.”
“We started a discussion about standing in our churchyards with signs and praying for peace and love during the convention,” she said. “A friend of mine suggested that I bring it to the next level and open the event up to all Clevelanders.”
“We want to embody the power of love that brings peace and justice to our city at this important moment in history,” Sr. Rita explained. “We believe that if we release the power of love collectively into the energy field, that it will grow and make a difference. This is based on transformative thought and our belief that one person in the world can make a difference. So, we are going to stand in silence and keep positive energy flowing for one half hour.”
Sr. Rita said there was positive energy in the city when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship. “We think we can build on the Cavs experience,” she noted. “We can build on the energy and the happiness that their championship brought to Cleveland. I’m not a big sports fan, but the Cavs experience made me feel better about myself. That energy is still in Cleveland.”
Joy Roller of Joy Roller Consulting, who is assisting Sr. Rita with publicizing the event, said the idea originated as a plan to stand in churchyards in circles, but has grown to embrace the entire city. “I told Sr. Rita that they should really circle the city with love and let the world see it,” she said. “With permitting issues for the RNC, we decided to have the event across the Hope Memorial Bridge.”
“After we announced plans for our event, we got a call from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. They had already applied for a permit to march around the Wolstein Center, followed by a concert afterwards. They said they would like to join us in our Circle of Love event,” Roller said. “So, people have the option of gathering at the Wolstein Center at 1pm to march to the bridge, or gathering at St. Ignatius High School at 1:30pm. [Note: the gathering place has been changed to the west end of the bridge due to the large number of participants expected]. Everyone is invited to the Wolstein Center at 3:30pm for the Keep the Promise concert.”
“This all embodies Sr. Rita’s mission to stand in unity for love, peace and justice,” she added. “We are sending that message out to the universe and hope that it rubs off and sends positive vibes to the convention. We want the world to know that Cleveland is a loving, peaceful and just city.”
Roller said that Circle the City with Love has already gained the attention of national media. “We hope to have several thousand participants. We will be able to get this message outside of Cleveland,” she said.
Participants in Circle the City with Love are asked to gather at two designated locations: the west end of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge and W. 29th St. and Cleveland State University Wolstein Center, 18th St. and Carnegie Ave. Those who choose not to travel downtown for the event are encouraged to form circles of reflection at the same time at locations of their choosing.
Following the 30 minutes of silence, participants are invited to attend a free Keep the Promise concert sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation at the Wolstein Center. Performers include Jussie Smollett, the Root and Mary Mary.
Participants can register for the event at circlecitywithlove.com, where they can purchase an event t-shirt and sign an online pledge to appear at one of the designated locations, be substance-free, nonviolent and law-abiding while holding hands for 30 minutes as a demonstration of peace and love.
T-shirts can be picked up at the event or on July 16 from 10am to 2pm at the St. Ignatius parking lot.
[Written by Cynthia Schuster Eakin]
Cleveland, OH 44113
Cleveland, OH 44115
9 Responses to “Clevelanders Will Circle the City With Love Ahead of the RNC”
Cindy Smith
It’s a great idea. I grew up in the Cleveland area, but now live in Florida. I have prior committments for this week, otherwise, I’d find a way up there to join you. I have seen the power of prayer at work over the last 4 years in my life and others around me. I KNOW this will work. Since I can’t be there physically, I will be praying for you all during that half hour.
Debby Elliott
Sorry that you don’t have xx-large t- shirts!
Judith Neulander
For elderly persons, standing for 30 minutes can be way too strenuous. This is especially true in the heat, at the hottest time of day! I wish it had been for five minutes–I think it would have been just as powerful, and more people could attend. I have a friend who would have come with me, but we just can’t handle the time frame. So sorry.
Joan Simmons
I live in Atlanta now, but this makes me proud that I was raised in Cleveland and lived there most of my life. I cannot attend but will be praying for Cleveland throughout the convention.
gwen c. dyer
God is with you Sr. Rita, for lifting up the idea of prayer and meditation for our beloved city, Cleveland. I will be on The Hope Bridge, with the other believers. I heard on the radio that it was going to be on MONDAY! Mistakes will happen, but that was a No, No! Hope a news release goes out today and every day till Sun. about time, place, and date! Thank you and I hope to meet you one day, maybe Sun. God Bless America and all those who recognize it’s blessings.
3 STRUCTURED tight lip RNC days
GONNA TRY n SCRIPT this and be Johnny One Notes on all this…. Jackson just hoping don’t have Holy H War unleashed, damage n death gore galore which I AM sure SOME of THIS crew would love to have occur….
Sister Lucille Flores
What a wonderful idea! I would like to try organizing something here in Milwaukee. BLESSINGS…….
Renee Borowski
If I can go to the Cavs parade I can certainly support this. It is an awesome Idea.
Julie Cortelezzi
This is a fantastic idea! Let’s give people of this city and the nation HOPE!