NEWBURYPORT — The PEG Center, a creative hub for social change, invites the public to remember the victims of gun violence at two upcoming events in May under the title “Forget Me Not.”
The first event is the 2025 Garden of Remembrance Ceremony, an interactive service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 23, in the Garden of Remembrance located on the Clipper City Rail Trail (near the High Street entrance). There will be brief remarks by Paula Estey from the PEG Center; Ann Haaser from Grassroots For Gun Violence Prevention; and Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon. In addition, Meg Rayne will give a musical performance, John Burciaga will read a poem, and the Uvalde victims will be named, with individual memorials hung on the birch trees in the garden. Textile artist Julie Neu will display her quilts from the Victims Quilt Project. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will be outdoor seating available for the free ceremony.
“We are committed to honoring the memory of children and teachers killed in a mass shooting on May 24, 2022 at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas,” Estey said. “We seek to end the epidemic of gun violence that shatters daily lives throughout the nation and support the many activist organizations that are doing the work to strengthen sensible gun laws.”
The second event is the center’s monthly Huddle Up meeting on May 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Central Congregational Church Hall, 14 Titcomb St., Newburyport. This month’s meeting will focus on art, activism, and local calls for action. Suggested donation is $10. Please pre-register online at: bit.ly/3Sntmce.
The meeting will feature: Ruth Zakarin from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Michigan-based protest quilter Erin Bauchan, plus remarks by Estey, Ann Haaser from Grassroots For Gun Violence Prevention and Neu. Musical performance by Meg Rayne.
Visit www.thepegcenter.org for events, programs and more.