Honoring the "Peaceful Love Warrior": 30th Annual Community Peace Celebration Set for June 20

For Immediate Release

ST. PAUL, MN – February 28, 2026 — The Rondo and Frogtown community will gather for a monumental milestone on Saturday, June 20, 2026, as the 30th Annual Community Peace Celebration takes place at Carty Park (The People’s Park) at 2:00 PM.

This year’s celebration serves as both a historic anniversary, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Elder Melvin Giles, the "Peaceful Love Warrior" who founded the event in 1996. The gathering will celebrate three decades of resilience, cultural pride, and community-led solutions to violence.

The 30th Anniversary event will feature:

• Live Performances: Music and dance from local artists representing the rich diversity of Saint Paul.

• A Free Community Meal: Breaking bread to foster connection and conversation.

• Resource Fair: A hub of community organizations offering support and services.

• Memorial Tribute: A special dedication to the life and legacy of Melvin Giles.

"The Community Peace Celebration is more than just a gathering; it’s a movement," says Michael Statten, one of the long-time planners of the celebration. "This 30th year is a time to reflect on the peace we’ve built since 1996 and a moment to grow the movement built on Melvin's vision of “bubbles not bullets. We will continue to plant the seeds of peace and self-determination in our community” 

The event is the culmination of the "Weaving Peace" activation series, which will engage neighbors in dialogue and art throughout the year. All are welcome to attend this free, public event to honor the past and help shape the future of peace in St. Paul.

About the Community Peace Celebration: Founded in response to neighborhood violence in 1996, the Community Peace Celebration began with a traveling Peace Pole and has evolved into a 30-year tradition of fostering inclusion, environmental sustainability, and solidarity in the Rondo/Frogtown neighborhoods.