On September 23 and 24, youth from the local Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist group joined 119,000 other young members and guests at the Lions of Justice Festival in the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The festival’s purpose, according to its website, was to gather 50,000 youth from all backgrounds in nine cities across the U.S. to stand up for the dignity of life. Participants, who came from the New England and mid-Atlantic regions, enjoyed a variety of entertainment including films, speakers, music and the shared experiences of youth taking action in their daily lives to transform society.
Each participant was asked to affirm personal determination to make the 21st century one of lasting peace and to awaken profound courage and hope in their friends, families and communities throughout the country.
For more on this story, see the October 18 News Review.