By Jacqui Morton

In 2016, a Pride flag with the word PEACE was stolen from one home in Natick. In response, children in the neighborhood inspired their families to display more PEACE flags. Now young adults, that simple act of love led to the international distribution of more than 50,000 flags and the creation of a global movement. 

The PEACE Flag Movement ‘works to unite the world in the fight for equity and care for all people. It starts with the flag, making the hope of change visible. And it grows when we turn education and conversation into action. Raising this flag is a promise to speak up, stand up, rise up.’ 

“It was like the little engine that could, sparked right here in Natick. Even Reebok displayed the flag,” Maggie Sky, a community organizer who has spearheaded the distribution of free PEACE Flags for almost a decade, shared recently. “Growing from that neighborhood, it became a symbol that this is a welcoming community. Donations made it possible, but flags were free.” 

Having inspired countless people, at least one children’s book, and a proclamation at the State House, the PEACE Flag Movement has recently communicated its decision to sunset, phasing out the distribution of flags and encouraging civic engagement on new levels. It is a moment for celebration and acknowledgement of the compassion, dedication, hours and hands that helped share Natick’s vision of a more peaceful, accepting world. After one re-design by local artist Virginia Fitzgerald, to shift direction of the rainbow and incorporate skin tones, flags were folded and packaged by volunteers at Charles River Center in weekly sessions with coordinators from the PEACE Flag Movement. Charles River Center provides programming to support and empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over five years, adults in their day program helped to send off flags that would reach more than 100 countries. 

Marina Lisovskis, Program Director for Community-Based Day Supports and Employment Services at Charles River Center, described the collaboration as one that was special for volunteers. “We had been helping the Common Street Spiritual Center with yard clean up, through the Natick Volunteer Network, and then the need for support with PEACE flags came along. Our community-based day program serves 35 adults ranging in age and ability. Community interaction is at the heart of what we do. Maggie and Jill, the coordinators from the PEACE Flag Movement, found roles for each volunteer based on their needs and abilities, and created a positive atmosphere. Many of the participants who worked with them made tremendous progress in their individual goals; we celebrated along the way with a number of dance parties and talent shows. At the closure of our work together, we honored the PEACE Flag coordinators at a community awards dinner. It was wonderful to work with them.” 

Stories about how the flag has been used around the globe are abundant. Alethea Tyner Paradis is a history professor at Santa Barbara College who reached out to Maggie when planning a trip with students to the California/Mexico border to work with Al Otro Lado, an organization that helps migrants seeking asylum. They took flags with them to place where the wall separates the two countries. “I was googling ‘peace flags’ in an effort to find the traditional peace sign flag, and Maggie’s beautiful organization popped up, “ Alethea wrote in our email chat, adding “I love the PEACE Flag Movement design much more than the typical variety because the multi-colored rainbow style represents all people, colors, creeds. We were able to secure flags in English and Spanish-- one that says “Peace” and the other that says “Paz” -- in true binational sentiment. The students and teachers alike resonated with the message of inclusivity. The two flags still fly proudly in Friendship Park, elevated high on a single 20-foot, 4 x 4 post with V-shaped flagpoles installed on either side.” 

Talking with Maggie, one can hear the passion she brought to the creation and continuation of the PEACE Flag Movement. And one can hear the multitude of ways its message will continue to ripple.

Christoph Goergen is the founder, writer, and maestro for Ein Licht für Afrika, a choir that performs and raises awareness as well as funds for Africa. During the pandemic, he reached out to Maggie to discuss his Ukuthula, a powerful peace prayer which he orchestrated virtually from his home in Germany. “Christoph showcased the PEACE Flag in this piece, which blew me away. The whole thing gave me chills and moved me to tears,” she reflected. Ukuthula by Ein Licht für Afrika can be found on YouTube. 

I also talked with Lion Mahesh Chitnis, who holds the title of Chair of the Council of Governors for the New Jersey Lions and was recently appointed Representative of Lions International to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The Lions is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and operates in each corner of the world, supporting the needs of local communities and championing eight global causes. One of these is world peace. 

“The Lions helped write the charter for the United Nations. We are dedicated to peace and have reinvigorated new conversations about peace in recent years. One person may feel they are not able to make a big difference, but they can start a conversation,” Lion Mahesh shared as we began talking. I asked him about his involvement with the PEACE Flag Movement. “I went to one of our local chapter meetings, of the Middletown Lions Club. One member there gifted me the flag and was very passionate about this movement. And I thought about how we have a large global reach; I thought that it would be a good idea to take it around the world, using the Lions platform to paint this movement globally.” 

And so from a Buddhist Temple in New Jersey which has incorporated the flag in their annual celebration of International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, to the International Office for the President of the Lions in a Chicago suburb, to six continents around the world, the Lions shared the PEACE Flag. Mahesh added, “It’s important to start the conversation. I observed it once, at a local event where the flag was being passed out. One person approached, and there was a negative tone to start, an anti-LGBT moment. But when the person with the flag gave it to them explaining, peace is not about an argument, but about understanding each person’s perspective….eventually this person took that flag to be hung at his house. Peace will always begin with each of us and I will continue to carry this message.” 

The promise of care for all people symbolized by the PEACE Flag was one that made many feel welcome when considering moving to Natick. This was the story of Select Board Member Kristen Pope. “When my husband and I were looking at homes and trying to figure out where to put down roots as parents - we rode through Natick, as we rode through other towns, and what stuck out to me most was not the train station, not the businesses, or the parks. It was the peace flags. They were a symbol of a welcoming town and this has stuck with me. When I got more involved in the town in public service, I got to meet Maggie Sky, the founder and creator of the Peace Flag Movement, and a true blessing to our town. To think that in the midst of all that is going on in our world, that these beautiful servants would create such an incredible symbol that has touched the world - and it came out of Natick - it lets you know what type of town this is.”

A moment of celebration and acknowledgement, and perhaps an invitation for reflection in the community. While Natick may have birthed an international movement for peace, overwhelmingly demonstrating the town’s commitment to welcoming all, acts of hate still remain. Antisemetic vandalism found in recent years in school bathrooms, at the train station, and at the end of August on the rail trail, ask us to keep the conversation going. In a statement following this recent incident, Natick’s Select Board indicated that further community discussions will take place, and the police were investigating. 

Kristen added in her personal reflection, “Until we are all locking arms and truly willing to come together to understand and love one another, we are always going to have afflictions of hate. Until people are resolved to see their neighbor as themselves, we are going to have that. But, the fact that we could also have people who are willing to create things that say ‘no you are welcome here,’ I believe we will be ok. I pray that those who are directly impacted by these acts - our Jewish community, our Black, Hispanic, Indian, and Immigrant communities -  will know that there is more love here than hate. I remain grateful to Maggie and the PEACE Flag Movement. And even though it is being wound down, it will never go away - the spirit of peace resides.” 

Surely the PEACE Flag Movement’s making the hope of change visible has left its mark. Beyond sunset, there is rest, and the dawn of a new day. While there is still much change for us to seek, there is also evidence that having hope for change matters.