Thousands of Clevelanders are expected to stand in silence for 30 minutes on July 17, the day the city officially welcomes the Republican National Convention.
The group, Circle the City with Love, said participants will hold hands from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. while standing on the Hope Memorial Bridge connecting Lorain and Carneige Avenues.
Attendees were originally told to meet at the St. Ignatius High School parking lot but, due to the large number of registrants, the meeting location has been changed to the west side entrance of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge.
Circle the City with Love was said to be a non-partisan, no-labels, no-issue participatory event organized by a collaboration of faith-based communities. The group was started by Sister Rita Petruziello, Congregation of Saint Joseph. The group said she wanted a "peaceful event to demonstrate the unifying and transformative power of live in the world."
"By standing in unity and intentional silence, we will embody the power of love that brings peace and justice to our city, our country and our world at this important moment in our city's history," Sister Rita said.
Sister Rita said the event will be a way for Clevelanders to "showcase who we are and how we welcome visitors to our town."
The group noted those who do not intend to travel downtown for the event are encouraged to form circles of reflection at the same time at the locations of their choosing.
All participants are asked to meet on the Bridge at 1 p.m. on Sunday and encouraged to take public transportation via the RTA to the W. 25th Street rapid station or Bus # 20, #51 or #22 and walk to the Bridge entrance. Participants can park on area streets and parking lots.
Participants coming from the east side can meet at the Wolstein Center to purchase or pick-up pre-paid Stand for Love T-shirts.
After the 30 minute silence, Circle the City with Love participants can attend a free Keep The Promise concert at the Wolstein Center, sponsored by the Aids Healthcare Foundation. Jussie Smollett, The Roots, Mary Mary, and others will perform.
For more information, visit U.S.A-KeepThePromise.org. Participants can register at circlecitywithlove.com.
