The United in Peace Foundation, a grassroots movement founded in South Central Los Angeles, is making significant strides in reducing violence and fostering unity through its signature Peace Rides. These monthly events bring together a diverse coalition of clergy, community leaders, neighborhood organizations, car and motorcycle clubs, and families who share a common belief: peace is everyone's responsibility.
Each Peace Ride features colorful processions of lowriders, motorcycles, Corvettes, classic cars, and community vehicles traveling through neighborhoods impacted by violence. The rides are not just symbolic; participants stop along the route to comfort families who have lost loved ones to violence, offering prayers and encouragement. Volunteers also distribute copies of The Way to Happiness, a nonreligious common-sense guide to better living written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. These moments underscore the message that no family grieves alone and that healing begins when people stand together.
The rides conclude with community rallies featuring live entertainment, food, and fellowship. Attendees also receive Million Man March pledge cards and educational materials promoting personal responsibility and respect for others. This holistic approach aims to strengthen communities from within, focusing on hope, cooperation, and mutual respect rather than merely reacting to violence.
What began as local rides serving Long Beach, Compton, Carson, and Inglewood has grown into a nationwide movement. Peace Rides and United in Peace Festivals have been held in cities including Harlem, Oakland, Kansas City, and St. Louis, uniting diverse communities around the shared vision of safer, stronger neighborhoods. Community leaders and local officials have recognized the positive impact these gatherings have in fostering dialogue and strengthening relationships among residents.
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International has been a founding supporter of the Peace Rides since the movement's inception, providing sponsorship and ongoing support alongside numerous volunteers, organizations, and faith communities. The movement welcomes everyone regardless of race, religion, culture, or background who shares the vision of creating safer neighborhoods through compassion and collective action.
The expansion of the Peace Rides highlights a growing national interest in community-based solutions to violence. By bringing people together across racial, religious, and cultural lines, the movement demonstrates that ordinary citizens can drive meaningful change. For Long Beach and surrounding areas, the Peace Rides offer a model for community engagement that emphasizes healing and unity, potentially inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere. The message is simple yet powerful: peace belongs to everyone, and together we can build communities where hope, respect, and unity prevail.
