[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Sept11_1.jpg” caption=”Roses Among the Stones”]As the world reflects today on the terrorist attacks on the United States, so will McMaster.

A commemorative service, called “Roses Among the Stones” brought together faculty, staff and students on the steps of Gilmour Hall today. The service, which celebrates non-violence, is a garden ceremony held annually for Anti-Violence Month. This year, McMaster's Anti-Violence Network (AVN) chose to hold the event on the anniversary of Sept. 11, says Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain in McMaster's Chaplaincy Centre.

“The non-violence service has been happening for a number of years but this year we wanted to do something special for Sept. 11, but also remember that non-violence is an issue that people face every year,” she says. “Following Sept. 11, the media bombarded us with images and many of them were quite shocking. We need a place where we can acknowledge that collective grief.”

The fifth annual garden ceremony began on the steps of Gilmour Hall at 12:30 p.m. and moved to the garden in front of University Hall. Speakers included McMaster President Peter George, Evan Mackintosh, president of McMaster's students union, and Priscilla de Villiers, the mother of murdered McMaster student Nina de Villiers.

A day-long symposium, entitled “One Year After September 11 … What Have We Learned”, will take place at McMaster on Saturday, Sept. 14. The conference includes workshops, speakers and a panel discussion. The cost is $5 for unwaged and $10 for waged. It will be held in the University Student Centre Banquet Room 319.

“The conference is designed to make us reflect back on the last year,” says Cindy Player, sexual harassment/anti-discrimination officer. “We want to not just look at the terrorism of Sept. 11 and subsequent violence around the world, but we want to look at the diverse relationships we have within our own community.”

Presentation topics include “Setting the Framework”, by Carol Wood; “Suffering and the Victims of War”, by McMaster students Ruba Moubarak and Ryan Marks; “Political Aspects of the War on Terrorism”, by Don Wells, political science and labour studies professor; “The Role of the Media”, by Sue McClelland, Maclean's Magazine; “Civil Rights” by alumnus Hussein Hamdani; “Non-Violent Alternatives” by Joanna Santa Barbara, with McMaster's Centre for Peace Studies.

A “Fostering Respect Art Exhibition” featuring images of anti-violence, has also been organized by the AVN.

The art exhibit will allow people to express their feelings of Sept. 11, says Wood. “Our thought was we wanted to not just remember the horrible things that happened on Sept. 11, but we want to see what kind of constructive things we can do in our community to foster respect.”

Judging for the art show took place the first week of September and the selected works will be on display from Sept. 13 to 15 in the New Space, Togo Salmon Hall, Room 114. A reception and award presentation for the exhibition will take place Sept. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. in TSH 114.

McMaster's AVN is comprised of 13-14 departments, including the Chaplaincy Centre, Student Health Service, the Centre for Student Development and Women's Studies.

Sept. 11, 2001 was a day many will never forget at McMaster, says Wood. A number of students organized forums and movements and people wanted to come together and talk, she says. She hopes the commemorative events will be thought provoking and a place for people to gather in solidarity. “We have many people on campus who had family and friends in the locations that were affected by Sept. 11. For those people who want to a place to meet and discuss their thoughts we have many opportunities.”

Cutline: McMaster President Peter George and victims advocate Priscilla de Villiers at the fifth annual “Roses Among the Stones” commemorative service to celebrate non violence. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay