Nineteen Buddhist monks reached Richmond on Tuesday, drawing thousands to City Hall on the 100th day of their 2,300-mile trek across America for peace.

Traffic halted in parts of the city as residents lined streets to walk alongside the monks, who left Fort Worth, Texas, 100 days ago on their way to Washington, D.C.

“Washington, D.C. is not the final destination, because we need world peace,” the monks’ leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, told the crowd gathered at City Hall’s Marshall Street entrance. “World peace is something that we need to walk for, the rest of our life. So we are not stopping there.”

Pannakara called on supporters to practice mindfulness and collaborate in bringing peace to the world. The gathering concluded with the monks blessing the crowd.

Mayor Danny Avula and Gov. Abigail Spanberger, joined by several local and state officials, presented proclamations celebrating the monks’ journey to Richmond.

Spanberger’s proclamation, declaring Feb. 2 Walk for Peace Day in Virginia, is her first proclamation as governor.

“I want to say thank you to all of you for inspiring us,” Spanberger said, “and to the greater Richmond and Virginia community, thank you for sharing in this inspirational moment.”

Crowds greeted the monks as they entered from Chesterfield County that morning, with some joining the walk through South Side and downtown Richmond.

Minister and bird breeder Tariq Kirby attended with daughter Naima and one of their pet doves, seeing it as a chance to demonstrate peace and unity.

“Everybody can come together as peaceful, as one,” Kirby said, “and show their love and peace towards one another and support one another.”

The monks spent Monday night at Virginia Union University and continued Tuesday through Henrico and Hanover counties toward Washington, where they’re scheduled to arrive Feb. 10. Updates on their journey are available at dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace.