Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you and yours well!  

I am writing to invite you to join me in participating in a 911 Walk for Humankind in your community on the Sunday after next, September 11th, which marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The purpose is simple: to remember our common humanity in the face of fear and intolerance. The 911 Walks will bring people together across differences with a simple act of hope and courage: walking and talking kindly with strangers in neighborhoods around the world. The 911 Walks are sponsored by Abraham’s Path, together with its many partners. Our informal motto is: “Fear Not, Walk On.”

911 Walks for Humankind are being organized by people in New York and in many parts of the United States. There will be walks in Jerusalem and in Bethlehem, along Abraham’s Path. Around the world, there will be walks in Brazil, Australia, France, Germany and dozens of other places.  You can find out more at www.911walks.org.  A walk is entirely flexible. It can be as simple as you deciding to take a spontaneous stroll for twenty minutes with a few friends around the neighborhood. Or it can be more organized with a group. An act of kindness towards strangers may be as simple as greeting someone you don’t know, expressing appreciation, or inviting them in for a cup of coffee. You may choose whatever human value you personally wish to walk for: community, peace, human unity or kindness. If you can, please register your walk at www.911walks.org so that people around the world can feel your participation.

These are intense times in the world. We are experiencing many of the consequences of the September 11 attacks and their tragic aftermath. The attacks provoked a rift in the family of Abraham, representing more than half of humanity, resulting in much distrust, intolerance, hostility, and violence. With the tenth anniversary, it is time now to begin to heal that rift. Each of us can help by taking a single step. As Abraham did four thousand years ago, it is time to leave our homes and go for a walk -- a walk to inspire a kinder world for all.

Please join me with your footsteps. I deeply appreciate whatever you can do in spreading the word. Step by step, walking together, we will get there.  

Fear not, walk on!

With kind regards,



William Ury
Co-Founder, Abraham’s Path
Co-Founder, Harvard Negotiation Project
Co-Author, Getting to YES