This year’s recipients were the three women, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi who started the #Blacklivesmatter movement. One of the three, Patrisse, along with Canadian activist  Rodney Diverlus spoke to us, and their words were truly inspiring.  Students heard of the importance of finding out what is going on in their local community first and offering support and care at a local level. Overwhelmingly, we learned that the movement is one of love, and that peace and justice cannot exist without each other.

Thanks so much to Payten for leading, organising and performing with the girls: Janaya, Kayla, Claire, Shakiya, Mackenzie,  Bella,  Natalie,  Brenna, Alix and Bianca, whose performance was magnificent, and to our social justice envoys,  Rachel,  Kate,  Grace, Molly, Lois, Anita  and Emily who gained so much from the speeches and presentations.

Here are a couple of responses from the girls themselves:

“Today was one of the most raw, inspiring and extraordinary experiences I have ever had the privilege to partake in. I think I speak for all the girls when I say we walked away as different people.” – Kate

“This was an amazing experience for me as I have never attended one in the previous years. I was very inspired about what the Peace Prize award winners had to say about “Black lives matter”  I really appreciate the chance that I got today,  I hope that I get the chance to attend another Peace Prize awards celebration in the future” -  Breanna

“It was an overall incredible and awakening experience. Carving deeper into the surface understanding of why “Black Lives Matter” was a definite eye-opening opportunity, and an absolute honour to perform at the special occasion”. – Bianca

“Engaging in Sydney Peace Day really gave me more of an insight into the #Blacklivesmatter movement and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend. It was such an engaging day, and performing alongside other St Pat's girls with Aboriginal heritage with the support of the Cabramatta community really demonstrated the significance of this campaign” – Mackenzie

“The Peace Day at Cabramatta was innovative and inspiring. I’m glad I got the opportunity to experience and celebrate cultural and racial differences in such an amazing way.” – Molly

"It was an absolute privilege to attend the annual Sydney Peace Prize at Cabramatta High School today. The recipient of this year’s award was the founder of the #BlackLivesMatter movement Patrisse Cullors, along with her co-worker Rodney Diverlus, the leader of the Canadian chapter.

This year, our attendance was extra special as the St Patrick’s College Aboriginal dance group performed as part of the #blacklivesmatter proceedings. It is more important than ever that we as students come together and fight for such an important and pressing cause." - Rachel - Social Justice Captain

Thank you to Cabramatta High for offering us your warm hospitality and making St Patrick’s such an integral part of Peace Day this year.

Marguerite Pulham and Kevin Quigley