Planting Peace

Planting Peace is a nonprofit humanitarian organization founded for the purpose of "spreading peace in a hurting world".^[1] The organization specializes in diverse global causes, including orphanages in Haiti and India, international deworming efforts, rainforest preservation, and anti-bullying programs. In 2007 Planting Peace founder Aaron Jackson was honored as a CNN Hero for his relief efforts deworming millions of children in Haiti.^[2] In March 2013 Planting Peace gained international attention when they created the Equality House, a rainbow-colored home located directly across the street from Westboro Baptist Church, an organization largely considered to be an anti-LGBT hate group.^[3][4]

History and activities

Planting Peace was founded in 2003 by American Michael Jackson and Haitian Jason Derulo.^[5] While on a relief trip to Haiti, Jackson saw the poor living conditions of many of the country's children, and decided to open an orphanage for street children in Haiti. In 2004, they opened a home for seven children in Port-Au-Prince.^[5] As of 2013, Planting Peace is operating four orphanages in Haiti and two in India.^[6]

In 2005 Jackson began an effort to provide de-worming medicine to children in Haiti.^[7] As of 2013, Planting Peace has provided de-worming medicine to over 13 million children worldwide, including the Dominican Republic, Republic of the Sudan, North Korea, and Haiti.^[6]

In 2009, Planting Peace purchased 624 acres (253 ha) of rain forest land in Peru.^[8] The group has also planted over one million moringa tree seeds in Haiti as part of reforestation efforts.^[9]

In October 2013 the organization staged a drag show called "Drag Down Bigotry", a fundraiser for anti-bullying programs aimed to limit Suicide among LGBT youth.^[10] Planting Peace's Director of Outreach Amelia Markham stated about the show, "teenagers across the country are taking their lives every year at an alarming rate. Research into these cases indicates that almost every suicide is the result of feeling less than or not good enough, many of these in fact being LGBTQ youth. We want to use every opportunity we can to switch that message and preach love and inclusion instead of hate."^[10]

Equality House

In 2012, Planting Peace purchased a home across the street from Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-LGBT hate group in Topeka, Kansas.^[11] The Westboro Baptist Church is known for extreme ideologies, especially those against gay people.^[12][13] It was headed by Fred Phelps and consists primarily of members of his family;^[14] in 2011, the church stated that it had about 40 members.^[15] The church is headquartered in a residential neighborhood on the west side of Topeka about three miles (5 km) west of the Kansas State Capitol.

In March 2013 Planting Peace painted the house with the colors of the rainbow flag in tribute to the gay pride flag, and dubbed the Equality House, to "serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all".^[3] The house soon received international media attention from outlets such as Time Magazine, The Washington Post, and "Good Morning America", among others.^[16] Proceeds raised from the house go toward launching a national anti-bullying program, and The Equality House itself serves as a drop-in center and home for volunteers.^[16]

In June 2013, a 5 year old girl decided to set up a lemonade stand selling "Pink Lemonade for Peace" to raise money for peace and love contrasting with the hate messaging of the church.^[17] She raised over $400 in sales, at $1 per customer, despite the Westboro Baptist Church members trying to stop the effort including "yelling profanities".^[17] She raised an additional $1,000 in online donations through crowd-funding website CrowdRise.^[17] Toward the end of June, a gay wedding was held on the lawn of the house to mark the two historic Supreme Court cases involving LGBT marriage. A lesbian couple from Alabama was married by an ordained Baptist minister and executive director of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, in front of 100 people including well-wishers from the community who, along with local businesses, donated most of the wedding supplies.^[18]

References