1,200+ Enjoy Free Summer of Nonviolence Drive-In Movie at Balloon Fiesta Park
ALBUQUERQUE – Over 1,200 movie goers were one with the force Wednesday night at Balloon Fiesta Park gathering for a special screening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The Summer of Nonviolence event was sponsored by Bernalillo County, City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation, Albuquerque Community Safety Department, and Albuquerque Police Department. The summer-long initiative encourages youth to take a pledge of nonviolence and offers a series of events throughout the season for young people to have fun and stay safe.
Attendees who took the pledge of nonviolence received a commemorative “I Pledge” Summer of Nonviolence t-shirt. The pledge is a commitment to engaging in positive actions and promoting peace throughout the summer. Those who filled out a short survey were given vouchers to use at any of the onsite food trucks which included Rollin’ In Hot, Zia Strong, and XO Fast Foods.
The Summer of Nonviolence youth ambassadors known as “Gen P” (or Generation Peace) were also on hand to kick-off the event greeting guests and answering questions around the pledge and the campaign.
Participants were also provided access and information to helpful support services including: behavioral health, shelter, food assistance programs, and educational programs. Part of the Summer of Nonviolence’s campaign aims to connect local families with the resources needed to foster a stronger, more resilient community.
“Every act of kindness, every peaceful gathering like this, sends a message to our city’s youth: you matter, and we believe in your future,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The Summer of Nonviolence is about building a culture where safety, support, and opportunity are the norm for every family.”
“These events have created welcoming, peaceful spaces for youth and families to come together,” said ACS Public Outreach Coordinator Ismael Vallejos. “We’ve seen how much the community values them, and we’re looking forward to helping build fun and safe environments at the rest of our events this summer.”
“This evening’s drive-in movie exemplifies how public events can serve as safe, inclusive spaces for families to come together in a spirit of community and peace,” said Bernalillo County Commission Vice Chair Adriann Barboa (D3). “Through the Summer of Nonviolence, we are demonstrating our commitment to fostering environments where youth feel supported, valued, and empowered to choose nonviolence.”
The campaign offers a series of events throughout the season for young people to have fun and stay safe. For more information about this event and future happenings, please visit the Summer of Nonviolence website.