THE UNDERGROUND STORM PEACE FESTIVAL
CALL FOR 200 YOUTH TO COMMIT TO PEACE VIA THE IMANI PEACE PLEDGE
Philadelphia, PA - Sunday, November 18, 2007 from noon until 6:00 p.m. at the Rotunda on
the University of Penn’s campus at 4012 Walnut Street hold on tight because straight from the
underground peace will emerge to the streets of Philly setting fire to the stage lit by some of
Philadelphia area’s hottest underground acts. Living proof that vulgarity and negativity is not
necessary to rock a crowd, these phenomenal artists will bring it live from rock to hip hop, spoken
word to the rhythms of r&b, gospel to peaceful battles.
Featured performances include J&R Grassroots artists Tox Burner and G.O.D. Power
performing, as seen on NBC10 Live, “Philly Can Be”, artists from Philly Artists Against Violence
performing their hit single “Everyday Is Crazy”, dance groups from the Dance4Peace Competition,
viewing of an excerpt from the Philadelphia’s Partnership For Peace’s docudrama, “In Time”, and
Philly’s great rocker, Ghetto Songbird, will headline.
Inspired by the desire to unite communities through music, The Underground Storm Festival
Series was formed to create true harmony by uniting diverse musical genres under one roof at an
event the entire family can enjoy. Proceeds from the 2007/2008 series will be donated to the
House of Umoja.
In support of the House of Umoja‘s mission to create a culture of peace, this event in the
series is dedicated to peace. The Underground Storm Festival Series makes a formal call to youth
school age through 22 to commit not to engage in acts of violence by signing the Imani Peace
PledgeTM created by the House of Umoja. The 2,000 youth in the City of Philadelphia who have
signed the pledge along with any youth who turns in a signed pledge at the door will receive free
admission to the peace festival.
The Imani Peace Pledgetm is based on the successful Imani Pact that youth gang members
from the City of Philadelphia signed in 1974 that virtually brought gang warfare to an end. The
peace pledge acknowledges that youth were able to stop the violence before and that the youth of
today have the power to do the same. The pledge also reminds us the value of our word, our
promises with the phrase, “Let my word be my bond.”
The day will also feature vendors, giveaways, an open mic hour, pictures, and a drop-off
basket for dry good donations for Thanksgiving dinners for families in need.
All anti-violence organizations, performance groups, and artists with a message of hope,
peace, and uplift are invited to come by and participate. This effort is in support of with the
Philadelphia Partnership for Peace consisting of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Atwater-Kent
Museum, WXPN Radio, and the House of Umoja.
For more information, please contact The Underground Storm Festival at 267.544.1014, email
theundergroundstorm@gmail.com, or visit www.theundergroundstorm.com.
