The eve of Election Day brought a moment of silence to downtown Erie, as dozens gathered outside the Erie County Courthouse with one shared message: choosing peace over division.
Organizers say the walk was about leading by example ahead of Election Day, encouraging people to show patience, understanding and nonviolence, even when political differences arise.
With Election Day just hours away, dozens walked in silence, hoping their message would resonate louder than words.
Sister Anne McCarthy says the message of peace and nonviolence is especially important for Erie, and that it goes beyond the sisters to include the entire community.
The walk also served as an opportunity to show appreciation for election workers, many of whom volunteer their time to help ensure elections run smoothly.
McCarthy says this isn’t the first time the sisters have taken a stand for peace ahead of an election. In 2020, they gathered here in prayer as ballots were being counted.
She says the hope is that tonight’s message will continue beyond the walk, reminding people that respect and understanding matter, regardless of political differences or election results.