Dozens of union members, including Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron, participated in the first annual "Family Peace Ride," a motorcycle event to support programs that address domestic violence.

Union members "are concerned about family violence and wanted to take a stand," Waldron said in announcing the Minnesota AFL-CIO's sponsorship of the event. Motorcyclists rode from St. Paul to Mankato Saturday to raise funds for the Tubman Family Alliance in Minneapolis and the Committee Against Domestic Abuse in Mankato.

Sheila Wellstone, wife of U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, also participated, riding part of the route with Waldron. She has been a national advocate for family violence prevention.

Other sponsors of the ride included three area Harley-Davidson dealerships and Go East Design.

Domestic violence is a nationwide problem affecting thousands of families. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States every day. Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Thousands of children also are the victims of murder and abuse.

For more information about family violence prevention

Visit the websites of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, www.endabuse.org and the Tubman Family Alliance, www.tubmanfamilyalliance.org