Yesterday's 'March Of The Peaceful Penguins,' As It Happened

Yesterday's 'March Of The Peaceful Penguins,' As It HappenedPhotos: David-Elijah Nahmod/Hoodline
David-Elijah Nahmod
Published on January 21, 2017

Yesterday, students from the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, an inclusive elementary school in the Castro, took to the streets as Inauguration Day festivities were underway in Washington D.C.

Dubbed the “March of the Peaceful Penguins,” the event was organized by Castro resident George Kelly, a longtime volunteer at the academy and the man behind Project Inscribe, the Milk Academy's World AIDS Day commemoration.

According to Kelly, the students weren't marching yesterday in protest of the nation’s new president; rather, the neighborhood march was intended to spread a message of peace, love, and unity.

"We are not marching against anyone or anything," Kelly told us as the march was getting underway at the Milk Academy's schoolyard. "We are marching for peace, social justice, and civil rights. We march because we can."

George Kelly helped to organize yesterday's march.

The students, accompanied by Kelly, principal Ron Machado, as well as teachers and parents, began their march on 19th St. carrying signs with messages of peace, love, and respect.

Security for the march was provided by SFPD and Ken Craig of Castro Community on Patrol.

The “Peaceful Penguins” then made their way down Diamond St. past Coming Home Hospice, before turning right onto 18th St. As they turned onto Collingwood St., the marchers were met with cheers and applause from residents and passerbys.

Marchers were applauded by neighbors.

Nine-year-old Zylos McCoy carried a sign which proclaimed "No Hate. We Want Peace," as he marched next to Thomas McBurney, his teacher.

"A small group of committed individuals is the only thing that's ever made a difference," McBurney said, as he and his students made their way up the street. "Bringing kids together as a community to promote peace and love is a profound way to make the world a better place."

When the marchers reached Market St., they turned and headed towards Castro St, where more cheers awaited them.

Several patrons inside the Twin Peaks Tavern gave students the thumbs up sign, while a woman with a baby carriage stepped aside, smiling as the marchers made their way past the Castro Theater.

Students carried signs of peace and unity.

"There's been a lot of crazy things happening," 10-year-old Emilia Flashberg, a fifth grader, said. "We gotta figure things out. The Castro is about peace – it's a place where you can be whatever you want to be."

"I think it's really important to express how you feel about how the world should be and stand up for what's right," Emilia's classmate Samantha Sirhed, added. "You shouldn't be afraid to do that. The Castro is famous and all about peace – it's a great place to do that."

As the students made their way back to their school, Principal Machado, who led the march, spoke to Hoodline about why the event was organized.

"This is important," he said. "We are raising a world of inclusive people with awareness of all the injustice that's out there." 

Thanks to George K. for the tip.

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