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Lin Evola-Smidt Artist "Melt down weapons to create Peace Angel Monuments" The Peace Angels Project began on November 3, 1992 in Los Angeles, California. At that time an average of 1,000 children were killed annually in Los Angel
es County. In the 20 years since, that number had been reduced in LA, but the number of children killed globally continues to rise. War exists. Violence exists. Consciousness shifts our thinking. Our thinking affects our actions. The vocation of Art is to shift consciousness. It is fitting that the first public Peace Angel monument be erected in downtown Los Angeles. This megalopolis has over 224 languages spoken in its borders, 92 languages spoken in its schools. Los Angeles is the United States of America of the United States of America. The number one media center on earth, Los Angeles has a platform for diversity, and it was here that the Peace Angels Project was born. The experience of seeing in the LA Times (November 1992) that 1,000 children were being killed annually by street weapons, and then looking down to see my son's face, marked the beginning of the Peace Angels Project. It has taken witnessing the wars, representing Social Justice at the United Nations, and researching in the neighborhoods, to understand the simplest of notions: it is up to each of us to be nonviolent. It is the only platform to build upon. In speaking with both Michael Bloomberg (Mayors Against Illegal Guns) and Julianne Versnel, (Second Amendment Foundation), I was struck by the great overlap in in their concern for the protection of human beings. The Los Angeles Peace Angel monument for downtown Los Angeles brings together the political steps in acquiring the site, the message promoted thru the media, and the technological and art world actions to produce and present this icon of peace. The monuments will include thousands of weapons. Support for the Peace Angels Monument continues to pour in: From Los Angeles Councilman Jose Huizar, 14th District: The Peace Angel Monument will inspire a call to action and encourage citizens to build a life-affirming world community. This is the time for a different platform and awe-inspiring examples of peace. I am thrilled that Los Angeles will house the Peace Angels Monument. I am glad to strongly support the monument... From Los Angeles Councilman Bernard Parks, 8th District: The Peace Angels Project has grown to become the symbol of peace in the world in the midst of all the turmoil present in today's day and age. The Peace Angels Project promotes peace by creating Peace Angel monuments from repurposing weapons, like guns into sculptures that reflect the culture and history in communities in which they are placed. As a nationally-recognized organization, The Peace Angels Project has become an important example of peace in Los Angeles over the past 22 years. From Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District: This idea of the Peace Angel is used as a medium of peace and transformation by repurposing weapons like guns, land mines, cluster bombs and decommissioned nuclear missiles into a beautiful sculpture. The Peace Angels monuments do not stand for a lack of defense or a lack of production, but instead stand for mutual respect, honor, harmony and productive peace. The proposed monument in downtown Los Angeles is expected to incorporate approximately 100,000 weapons. These weapons are donated or confiscated and signify a pledge to build a productive and prosperous life of good conduct, good commerce and integrated worth. From Cheif Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Police Department: As Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department, I am writing to express my support for the creation of your Peace Angel Monument. I, along with all the men and women in the LAPD, look forward to working with you and the City of Los Angeles' Cultural Affairs Department to promote the message of peace and hope through the transformation of weapons taken off of the streets in the City of Los Angeles... From Congresswoman Janice Hahn, U.S. House of Representatives, California's 36th District (former Councilwoman, 15th District): For Lin Evola to take our weapons... and turn them into something of beauty... is truly beyond words... Having a Peace Angel in Los Angeles will send a message. From Richard Riordan, former Mayor of Los Angeles: I was pleased to learn that the... project was conceived... in our City of Angels... the sculpture will be a poignant memorial for those who have been lost to violent acts and... as a symbol of hope for future generations...
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