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Yakima Today
By the People, for the People
Peace Pole Unveiled in Yakima to Promote Community Unity
The new monument features messages of peace in 10 languages representing the diverse population of Yakima County.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:38am
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The new peace pole in Yakima's Rotary Marketplace stands as a unifying symbol for the community, inviting passersby to reflect on the meaning of unity and shared humanity.Yakima TodayA new peace pole was unveiled at the Rotary Marketplace in downtown Yakima, Washington on Wednesday. The pole, which displays the message 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' in 10 different languages, was a collaborative effort between the Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima and local artists. The goal of the monument is to bring the community together and encourage reflection on the meaning of peace.
Why it matters
The peace pole is intended to serve as a unifying symbol for the diverse Yakima community, promoting dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for the shared humanity of all residents. As a visible public installation, it aims to inspire passersby to consider the importance of community peace and unity.
The details
Martin Streich of the Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima conceived the idea for the peace pole back in 2023, and the project finally came to fruition in 2026. The pole features the message 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' inscribed in 10 languages representing the demographics of Yakima County, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hebrew, Ichishkíin Śnwit, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish, and Tagalog. Local artists contributed artistic elements to the pole's design.
- The peace pole was unveiled on Wednesday, April 18, 2026.
- Streich first came up with the idea for the peace pole in 2023.
The players
Martin Streich
A member of the Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima who conceived the idea for the peace pole in 2023.
Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima
The local Rotary club that spearheaded the peace pole project.
What they’re saying
“It's meant to bring people together and to reflect on what's possible when we work together.”
— Martin Streich, Member, Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima
“Peace is not something that's passive, it's something that's active, it's intentional. We need everybody to open the dialogue, listen to people, understand people and appreciate the humanity within our community.”
— Martin Streich, Member, Southwest Rotary Club of Yakima
What’s next
The Rotary Club plans to host community events and educational programs around the peace pole to further its mission of promoting unity and understanding.
The takeaway
The peace pole in Yakima serves as a tangible symbol of the community's commitment to fostering dialogue, empathy, and shared purpose among its diverse residents. By bringing people together around this unifying monument, the city hopes to set an example of how intentional efforts towards peace can strengthen the social fabric of a community.
