On July 25, 2026, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center held its 20th Anniversary of the Day of Peace on the facility’s Lower Yard. The event was hosted by the SQRC Day of Peace committee.
As a gesture of peace, incarcerated people displayed on table tops their leisure-time artwork of homemade chess pieces that resembled fantasy figurines.
“My creative artwork is a way to give back to my community. My art previously raised money at a High Desert State Prison’s Get on the Bus event,” said SQ resident Fred Rodriguez.
There were other art forms, such as paintings of African queens, oceansides, and fictional cartoon characters.
The Buddhist community also displayed books of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism.
“San Quentin Buddhist community is here to support the Day of Peace event. We are responsible for holding a moment of silence during the event,” said SQ resident M. Seishae Cadiz.
Residential volunteer barbers Tyrone Jones, Gregory Porter, and Bishop Thurman gave the incarcerated people free haircuts. Throughout the event, the barber chairs never seemed to be empty. All races, ethnicities, and cultures enjoyed the free haircuts.
The People In Blue, an incarcerated-led group that was established in 2023, informed SQ population on various issues. They displayed books on land justice, which entails reimagining land, food, and farming in the US.
“We always do what we can do when new people come around. We advise them to stay away from the politics, drugs, and misconduct,” said PIB member Martin Pulido Sanchez.
A total of nine vintage cars were displayed in front of SQRC’s Receiving and Release building. SQ residents asked the owners various questions concerning the size of the engine and how much it cost to refurbish the classic cars.
Zeke T., 19, brought in a white and gold 1950 Hudson that he has been working on for 11 years. “I like working on the car because you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, especially with my Dad,” Zeke said.
At the end of the event, Britton Buchanan, 22, the runner-up of the 14th season of NBC’s TV show The Voice, entertained the attendees with original songs and renditions.
Natalie Tovar, a representative of Walkenhorst’s catalog company, thanked all the residents for inviting her back to the Day of Peace.
Courtesy of Walkenhorst’s, the company gave all residents goodie bags, which consisted of beef jerky, Doritos, Hershey Bars, Cinnabon Cookies, and Green Berry Drink Mix.
