Walk for Peace monks draw about 20,000 people in Columbia

About 20,000 people met 20 Buddhist monks and their rescue dog Aloka in Columbia on Jan. 10 during the Walk for Peace; local volunteers, organizers and law enforcement coordinated support as the group passed through South Carolina.

On Jan. 10 in Columbia, 20 Buddhist monks and their rescue dog Aloka reached the South Carolina Statehouse during a nationwide Walk for Peace. The walk began in Fort Worth, Texas, and is planned to finish in Washington, D.C., covering roughly 2,300 miles. Local organizers, volunteers and law enforcement coordinated support as the group moved through South Carolina. City and state officials issued proclamations recognizing the visit and a large crowd gathered on the Statehouse grounds. Key details: - The group included 20 monks and a rescue dog named Aloka and completed their 1,520th mile upon reaching the Statehouse. - Reporters and organizers estimated about 20,000 people came out in West Columbia and Columbia on Jan. 10 to see the walkers. - The nonprofit Be The Ones began coordinating the group's passage through South Carolina on Jan. 3 and helped connect volunteers, churches and hosts. - Law enforcement agencies across counties worked together on safety and logistics; Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon estimated about 3,000 people attended the monks' entrance into South Carolina. - After leaving Columbia the monks continued north through Rock Hill and into Charlotte, with organizations in North Carolina assisting the next leg toward Washington, D.C. Summary: The visit brought a large, organized public turnout and a coordinated support effort across communities and agencies in South Carolina. Organizers described the arrangements as a network of care made up of volunteers, churches and local officials. The monks have continued north and groups in North Carolina are now assisting the next part of the walk toward Washington, D.C.