Buddhist 'Walk for Peace' stops in DeKalb County; local leaders urge action beyond rhetoric

Dozens gathered in DeKalb County as Buddhist monks leading a multi-state "Walk for Peace" paused on their pilgrimage, drawing speeches from federal, state and local officials who framed the journey as a moral call to action.

Sen. Warnock told the crowd the walk offered a reminder that prayer must be paired with action, saying, "We must pray with our legs," and quoting scripture and Martin Luther King Jr. to link the pilgrimage to broader struggles against violence and poverty. He also presented a small gift on behalf of Ebenezer Church.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson praised the spiritual and civic dimensions of the route, which he described as running from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. He said the rally and walk are "an urgent message that peace is not merely a destination," and told the audience he planned to introduce a congressional resolution commending the monks' efforts.

State Rep. Ruwa Grama said the monks' decision to travel through the South and historically neglected towns underscored the walk's significance. She linked the pilgrimage to civil-rights memory and urged residents and leaders to organize in favor of peace and economic security.

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Kostron Johnson called DeKalb "one of the most diverse communities in the United States," thanked the monks for their sacrifice and urged attendees to "choose peace" and to work together across differences. She asked the crowd to pray for the monks' safety as they continue their journey.

Decatur Mayor Patty Garrett welcomed the group on behalf of the city and asked other elected officials present from the Atlanta area and Decatur schools to stand for recognition.

Organizers repeatedly asked attendees to be mindful while the monks walked, noting the monks' preference for quiet and the need to avoid following the procession in ways that could disrupt traffic. The event organizer said the walk was on "day 66" and that the monks had traversed multiple states to bring attention to peace, compassion and healing.

The gathering combined religious observance, civic recognition and calls for local organizing; speakers tied the pilgrimage to international conflicts and local social needs, from the need for safety on streets to economic security. The event concluded with leaders urging continued community action as the pilgrimage resumes its route.