See below for video (courtesy of WJLA), as well as a partial transcript of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s remarks:
“So I am grateful that you have opened this beautiful space to members of our community who want to be inspired, who need a bit of inspiration. And we see that in the belief and the commitment of the Venerable Monks who have been walking for 100 days to make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when you believe in something, you can bring people together in common cause. And so I want to say think you to all of you for inspiring us. And to the greater Richmond and Virginia community, thank you for sharing in this inspirational moment.
Before we came outside, Delegate Shin and Senator Boysko presented the Venerable Monks with uh proclamations from the House of Delegates and from the state senate. and I have one – ‘By virtue of the authority vested by the constitution in the governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this proclamation, we officially recognize Walk for Peace Day.’ And I am excited because as a new governor, this is the first proclamation that I have written. And as we want to see change and progress and community built up across Virginia, I can think of no better first proclamation than one that recognizes the strength and the valor of these Venerable Monks that recognizes the hundred days of walking they have done so far and the continued walk towards our nation’s capital.
This proclamation recognizes that the journey that they are undertaking traverses Virginia at a time when communities across our nation face a variety of challenges and deepening divisions. And they are serving as a powerful reminder to us that peace is a daily practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, communities, and nations. And so I am so grateful and proud to present this proclamation to the Venerable Monks, thanking them for giving us the opportunity to come together, the opportunity for people of all faith backgrounds and beliefs to join in a shared aspiration to live with greater compassion, understanding, and goodwill. And the proclamation ends with, ‘Therefore I, Abigail Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize February 2, 2026 as Walk for Peace Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia.'”
Good stuff. For more on the Venerable Monks and their Walk for Peace, see their Facebook page, which has highlights from their “120-day, 2,300-mile journey by Buddhist monks — with loyal dog, Aloka — walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of inner peace and mindfulness across America and the world.” That includes this highlight from today in Richmond:
“This beautiful aerial view captures one part of our walk together to the Peace Gathering in Richmond, Virginia today on Day 100. From above, we can see the extraordinary sight—so many people walking together with us through the streets of Richmond. Many hearts moving as one, united in the spirit of compassion, mindfulness, and hope. We are so deeply grateful. Your presence, your steps, your willingness to walk for peace—it made this milestone day truly unforgettable. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us. And thank you to Peter Topkis for this beautiful video from above that captures the magnitude and beauty of what we shared together. May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace.”
