Fresno State celebrates peace

The Fresno State Peace Garden continues to celebrate historical figures that fought for peace in nonviolent forms.

Just north of the library, five statues stand, representing equality for all.

Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Jane Addams, Cesar Chavez and Mahatma Gandhi are all enshrined within the garden for anyone on campus to admire.

For many, they represent more than just peace.

”It brings a sense of, not necessarily peace, but unity,” said Tatiana Fabian, philosophy religion studies major. “Just because there are so many different leaders that were fighting for the same thing, for peace for everybody, for equality for everyone.”

While the Peace Garden is open at anytime, on special days, the garden opens up to different celebrations.

Recently, Fresno State celebrated Gandhi’s birthday in collaboration with the Peace and Dharma Conference, reminding the campus of the messages left by important figures.

”I think the whole goal is to create awareness about peace, create awareness about nonviolence, justice [and] love,” said Dr. Veena Howard, department chair of philosophy department. 

The issues figures like Gandhi and Cesar Chavez faced in their lives are still prevalent today, showing all the more reason to be reminded of their fight.

“Having these events and this foundation of peace is really going to be important in changing the way our society is,” Fabian said.

The Peace Garden is a unique part of Fresno State’s continued effort at spreading unity.

“[There’s] nothing like this anywhere where you have the five representatives of peace, nonviolence, truth [and] love,” Howard said. “Who lived their lives, who sacrificed themselves for truth, who sacrificed themselves for [the] care of others.”

More information about the Peace Garden can be found online or on the different statues within the garden.