Video shows the original Peace Fence with the banners. The late Dave Marsten and Tami Marsten sing “We Can be Kind” in the background.

Story below by Peace House Director Elizabeth Hallett

Also read the Mail Tribune article, “Originally called the Peace Fence, the Peace Wall is a collection of colored tiles mounted on a steel frame in front of the Ashland library on Siskiyou Boulevard. Each tile bears a photograph of a banner from the original Peace Fence, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
The Iraq War was raging and antiwar activist and artist Jean Bakewell was frustrated and wanted to do something. She also wanted to do something to honor her brother and sister-in-law, who had recently died. As she walked along the railroad chain link fence behind A Street, an idea came: Invite artists and friends to make peace banners to hang on the fence as a surprise on Mother’s Day.
Excitement spread through town, and on Mother’s Day 2007, the city witnessed a gathering at the new Peace Fence. The Peace Choir sang “This Little Light of Mine” in front of more than 200 banners for peace, each 3-by-4-feet or more, with impassioned pleas for peace and oneness.
Eventually more banners were made and sent to Ashland from Vietnam vets, and from all over the West Coast, Canada and Norway. Children from Ashland and surrounding communities made banners, one with colorful little handprints.  Continue reading…