David Hurwitz
Champion of peace, reproductive rights, civil rights, and literacy
Why I selected this peace hero:
For over 25 years Dave Hurwitz has given away over 10,000 books a year from his eccentric, decorated (think toys, bottle caps, googly eyes, bottle corks) 1992 Ford pickup truck.
Dave and his truck frequently appear in the Oregon District, and at various street fairs and festivals.
With his distinctive beard and bib overalls, he fosters love for reading and offers books to people, young and old, from all walks of life.
Dave, why the Free Books art truck?
"Why? Various reasons—
keeps the books from getting trashed,
encourages literacy,
provides a soapbox for my political views, and I’m a socialist.
We are all connected--ecologically, physically, spiritually, and must do what we can to make the world a better place."
"I volunteered at the Planned Parenthood book sale and took unsold books to the VA, city jail and Wright State, putting out boxes marked 'free books.'
I fill my pickup truck and park it around the community in the Oregon District, the Yellow Springs Street Fair and at various other fairs and festivals.
Eventually I added objects to the truck, creating the art vehicle you see today."
Photos by Maury Wyckoff
Web links:
https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&context=history_oral_history.
Oral history project by Wright State student
https://www.dayton.com/lifestyles/secrets-dayton-most-mesmerizing-pickup-truck/jl8c0L9OPUjvArbLnObhaI/
Amelia Robinson interview in Dayton Daily News
Thank you for supporting peacebuilding and the Miami Valley Peace Heroes Trail!