United in Peace Foundation

Information about this center is no longer updated. This data was last updated on 8 July 2014.

Phone: 310-537-2273
Email: askdrhanan@gmail.com
Website: http://upfest.org/

"The escalating level of senseless shootings and violence in our streets is a problem none of us can afford to ignore. More than ever, we must bring peace to our communities.

Minister Tony Muhammad has served the greater Los Angeles area for the past 17 years. In this time, he has worked side by side with members of the clergy, law enforcement, community-based organizations and leaders, and has become one of the city’s most well-known peace-makers. As a member of the LA County Sheriff’s Clergy Council, he is one of a few clergy who may be called upon to enter the county jail when violence erupts between rival gangs, whereas on the streets he is similarly a respected mediator and treaty-builder.

Motivated by the universal need to bring peace to the streets of our cities, in October 2012 Minister Tony spearheaded the formation of the United in Peace foundation. Along with Big Boy from Power 106, Rev. Alfreddie Johnson of the World Literacy Crusade and a host of other community and faith leaders including the likes of Dr. Hanan Islam of American Health and Education Clinics, Vicky Lindsey from Project Cry No More and Southern California Cease Fire Committee, Pastor Claude Powe and most of the gang-intervention programs in the city, the United in Peace movement is a growing force that is uniquely and effectively uniting people of all faiths, all colors and all creeds in our common goal for a peaceful Los Angeles.

Since October 2012, the United in Peace movement has organized and sponsored monthly Peace Rides throughout South Central Los Angeles. With over 50 biker clubs now on board and more joining each month, hundreds of motorcycles take to the streets and go directly into those neighborhoods which have been most affected by gun violence. At each stop, the bikers engage and embrace the people of these communities, promoting unity and peace through distribution of the now famous bright orange peace bracelets and materials proven to unite and foster peace. Namely, a re-print of the pledge issued at the historic Million Man March in 1995 in Washington DC, calling on men to atone, settle disputes, overcome conflict, put aside grudges and hatred and unite in a combined effort to create a more loving and productive community. And The Way to Happiness, a common-sense, non-religious guide to better living. To date, over 100 million copies of The Way to Happiness have been distributed in more than 97 languages and in 170 countries to the end of increased tolerance and understanding between families, friends, groups, communities and nations, making a safer, less violent world for all.

The United in Peace foundation is organizing the first UP Fest (Unity and Peace Festival) for summer 2013 at the Home Depot Center in Carson. A day of “edutainment” (education and entertainment), UP Fest will mark a national call for “ceasefire” to end senseless gun violence in our communities. The event will bring together peoples of all walks, including gang members alongside mothers who have lost children to gang violence, in a demonstration that through love and unity, it is possible to heal our neighborhoods and restore peace to our streets.

Peace is never a “program” or a “campaign.” It is that universal hope, an urge that is native in every one of us. This movement is yours. It is ours. Together, we stand united for peace."

Source: http://upfest.org/united-in-peace-festival/about-upfest/ (accessed July 8, 2014)