A grassroots group is organizing a peaceful rally on the Village Green this weekend to “unify the country, once and for all” and “make sure that the voices of the poorest of the poor and those on the fringes of society are heard.”

The Building Bridges rally will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at the four corners of West Main and Jefferson streets in downtown Nashville.

Organizer Kathy Sepiol is planning for hundreds of participants.

The event will include prayers, speeches and musicians playing patriotic and inspirational songs that all can sing along to. There also will be time for chatting, “to allow for all the wonderful people in this community and beyond to talk and come together for the good of we, the people, and the good of this great country of ours,” Sepiol explained to the Nashville Town Council, seeking permission for the corners’ use.

The theme song is “Love Can Build A Bridge,” she said.

All are welcome to come with lawn chairs, flags and “cardboard signs with your issues written on them,” she said — “no protests, only peace.”

Participants also are encouraged to bring a nonperishable item to be given to local food pantries.

The event is inspired by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, a flier says. Assisi was especially concerned with the plight of the poor and unifying all living things.

Sepiol encouraged people to bring in their senior and disabled neighbors. She hopes the event will attract out-of-towners, too, and perhaps the attention of national news media.

“Let us end the hateful rhetoric going on during this presidential campaign,” she wrote. “These issues at hand affect every single one of us.”