As of 6:00 PM Saturday, June 28, we are 12 miles from the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. There are so many emotions and thoughts we're experiencing at this point - I hope to post later this evening to share some of them.
For any who want to join us on Sunday for the final approach and the march into Washington, call Scott at 312-401-3713 for details. The basic outline follows.
We'll begin walking on US1 North at the Quality Inn 7212 Richmond Hwy about 9 miles south of DC. We'll walk up US1 into Crystal City, turn left onto 23rd St., turn right onto Eads St. and left onto 15th. Then we continue on 15th and continue when it becomes Joyce St crossing Army-Navy Blvd and going under I395 before turning right onto Columbia Pike. At that point, we plan to take the bike path to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, arriving about 11:30 AM.
We'll gather with various friends at the end of the bridge opposite DC. Someone suggested taking a cab to that point if you're meeting us there. Others suggested parking at Roslyn and finding someone to drive you back to your car later.
We begin crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge at 12 noon. After crossing, we'll circle right around the Lincoln Memorial and take Independence alongside the Mall and on to the Supreme Court Building, arriving about 1:30 PM. The walk from the bridge to the end is about 3 miles. It'll be hot so bring water.
At least six friends from Raleigh, several folks from the 15th Starvin' for Justice Fast and Vigil, and Andre Latallade (aka Capital X) who has walked some 1700 miles for abolition of the death penalty are among those who'll be walking with us.
How about you?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Abolition
Ah, Fredericksburg! I had no idea how much charm that town has. Last night we indulged in ice cream at the previously unknown to us but apparently famous Carl's. It was well worth the 50-some person-long line!
After spending the night with the Wheelers in their amazing 19th century era home, before departing we had to stop at the old slave trading block. It was the actual block upon which human beings stood to be auctioned off - just like livestock and other commodities. We had to stop there to pray and ponder.
Abolition was the only 'right answer' for slavery. Today we accept that as unquestioned truth.
There will come a time in the not too distant future when people will look back at the death penalty with the same disbelief and revulsion with which we now look at slavery. It's already true for most countries with which we want to be associated, including Canada and the nations of the European Union. It'a also true for countries that most Americans consider beneath us, including Mexico and Haiti.
As with slavery, the only 'right answer' to the death penalty is Abolition.
How long must we wait before that becomes obvious?
After spending the night with the Wheelers in their amazing 19th century era home, before departing we had to stop at the old slave trading block. It was the actual block upon which human beings stood to be auctioned off - just like livestock and other commodities. We had to stop there to pray and ponder.
Abolition was the only 'right answer' for slavery. Today we accept that as unquestioned truth.
There will come a time in the not too distant future when people will look back at the death penalty with the same disbelief and revulsion with which we now look at slavery. It's already true for most countries with which we want to be associated, including Canada and the nations of the European Union. It'a also true for countries that most Americans consider beneath us, including Mexico and Haiti.
As with slavery, the only 'right answer' to the death penalty is Abolition.
How long must we wait before that becomes obvious?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
It Keeps Happening
Here's the kind of thing that's happened many times during this Pilgrimage.
I stopped north of Ashland, VA to read an historical marker. Across the street, someone called to me and asked if I needed a ride to buy gas, assuming I've run out. I crossed the street to talk with the two women and two children who were working to fix up a house there. I explained to them that I'm walking from Raleigh to DC to encourage people to remember murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families and calling for an end to the death penalty. After offering me a soft drink, they told me the story of how two women were murdered in that very house in the 1980s. We talked about the personal impact and other aspects of that murder; all the while I'm offering a prayer for the victims and perpetrator of that crime.
One of the women continued, telling me of a VA State Police officer who was killed nearby. Then she told me about how the 7-year-old child whose father was slain told his mother, "You know you have to forgive him (the person who killed his father)."
Today, a man pulled his car over near me, said he's not from around here and asked me where he might find a public park. I told him that I'm passing through on the Pilgrimage and explained the purpose to him. He held up his forearms to reveal some very severe-looking cuts, which appeared still swolen, but looked to have healed pretty well.
He explained that he was nearly a murder victim, that someone came at him and some friends with a knife and that in protecting the group he sustained those cuts. He talked about how much he sympathized with the purpose of our Walk and how appreciative he is of life, especially in light of his close call.
I fully expect more such encounters this afternoon and in the days ahead.
I stopped north of Ashland, VA to read an historical marker. Across the street, someone called to me and asked if I needed a ride to buy gas, assuming I've run out. I crossed the street to talk with the two women and two children who were working to fix up a house there. I explained to them that I'm walking from Raleigh to DC to encourage people to remember murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families and calling for an end to the death penalty. After offering me a soft drink, they told me the story of how two women were murdered in that very house in the 1980s. We talked about the personal impact and other aspects of that murder; all the while I'm offering a prayer for the victims and perpetrator of that crime.
One of the women continued, telling me of a VA State Police officer who was killed nearby. Then she told me about how the 7-year-old child whose father was slain told his mother, "You know you have to forgive him (the person who killed his father)."
Today, a man pulled his car over near me, said he's not from around here and asked me where he might find a public park. I told him that I'm passing through on the Pilgrimage and explained the purpose to him. He held up his forearms to reveal some very severe-looking cuts, which appeared still swolen, but looked to have healed pretty well.
He explained that he was nearly a murder victim, that someone came at him and some friends with a knife and that in protecting the group he sustained those cuts. He talked about how much he sympathized with the purpose of our Walk and how appreciative he is of life, especially in light of his close call.
I fully expect more such encounters this afternoon and in the days ahead.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Images from the Pilgrimage
Better late than never... images from Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, 2008.
At the entrance to Virginia's Greensville Correctional Center, where Virginia conducts its executions.
The Greensville Correctional Center, from Corrections Way.
Vigil and prayer service at the entrance to the GCC. We were joined on Saturday by Vivian and Jeff who drove up from Asheboro, NC to be with us, walk with us, show support, and to buy us lunch. It was nice meeting them. Vivian writes to death row inmates in 32 states in the US.
Remembering victims of violence.
On Saturday and Sunday, we were also joined by Abe Bonowitz, Beth Wood, and their son Isaac. Abe is from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
and came out to support our pilgrimage by providing a meal and lodging. Beth from Durham also came up Saturday morning to walk with us. On Sunday, we were joined by Steve and Daniel from the Norfolk (VA) Catholic Worker.
Many of us marched 12.8 miles on Sunday, to arrive south of Petersburg before lunch. Left to right are:
Issac, Abe, David, Beth, Roberta, Steve, Scott, Debbie, Grant, Ellen, Daniel, and (in front) Beth with Lance.
As Scott wrote in Bittersweet Day, it was sad to say goodbye.
At the entrance to Virginia's Greensville Correctional Center, where Virginia conducts its executions.
The Greensville Correctional Center, from Corrections Way.
Vigil and prayer service at the entrance to the GCC. We were joined on Saturday by Vivian and Jeff who drove up from Asheboro, NC to be with us, walk with us, show support, and to buy us lunch. It was nice meeting them. Vivian writes to death row inmates in 32 states in the US.
Remembering victims of violence.
On Saturday and Sunday, we were also joined by Abe Bonowitz, Beth Wood, and their son Isaac. Abe is from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
and came out to support our pilgrimage by providing a meal and lodging. Beth from Durham also came up Saturday morning to walk with us. On Sunday, we were joined by Steve and Daniel from the Norfolk (VA) Catholic Worker.
Many of us marched 12.8 miles on Sunday, to arrive south of Petersburg before lunch. Left to right are:
Issac, Abe, David, Beth, Roberta, Steve, Scott, Debbie, Grant, Ellen, Daniel, and (in front) Beth with Lance.
As Scott wrote in Bittersweet Day, it was sad to say goodbye.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
What Remains
This evening we're resting in Ashland. A sign today read, "Washington 90." It was a strange moment. Excitement that our geographical goal is that near. Sadness that this very special inner and outer journey is coming to a close so soon. Sober awareness that our larger goals require so much more work and time: Abolition of the death penalty and Reconciliation through support and compassion and healing for families of victims and perpetrators and the wrongly accused.
Tomorrow we will walk a shorter day and drive back down our route to participate in vigils in Richmond and at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. At those vigils we will join Virginians opposed to the execution of Robert Yarbrough, which is scheduled for 9 PM tomorrow. We will pray, as we have all week, for the surviving family and friends of Cyril Hamby and for Robert and his family. We will offer public witness against his execution and pray for a commutation of his sentence.
On Thursday, we continue walking up US1 from Ladysmith to Fredericksburg. On Friday, from Fredericksburg to Triangle. On Saturday from Triangle to just south of Alexandria. On Sunday, joined by Raleigh-area friends who will rejoin us and Abolitionists from around the country, we will walk into Washington to join the 15th Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty in front of the Supreme Court.
We invite any of you who can to join us, especially for the Sunday walk into Washington and/or for part of the fast and vigil which runs through midnight on July 2nd.
More posts will follow, Internet access willing...
Tomorrow we will walk a shorter day and drive back down our route to participate in vigils in Richmond and at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. At those vigils we will join Virginians opposed to the execution of Robert Yarbrough, which is scheduled for 9 PM tomorrow. We will pray, as we have all week, for the surviving family and friends of Cyril Hamby and for Robert and his family. We will offer public witness against his execution and pray for a commutation of his sentence.
On Thursday, we continue walking up US1 from Ladysmith to Fredericksburg. On Friday, from Fredericksburg to Triangle. On Saturday from Triangle to just south of Alexandria. On Sunday, joined by Raleigh-area friends who will rejoin us and Abolitionists from around the country, we will walk into Washington to join the 15th Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty in front of the Supreme Court.
We invite any of you who can to join us, especially for the Sunday walk into Washington and/or for part of the fast and vigil which runs through midnight on July 2nd.
More posts will follow, Internet access willing...
Richmond Reconciliation
Approaching Richmond yesterday was very cool. The Civil War history of various military arches pervades the air from Petersburg into Richmond. Instead of a military march, however, here we were marching against violence and for nonviolent solutions to violence.
On the South Side, as they call it here, two Richmond police officers pulled over near me (after one of them literally screamed from their passing car in response to my 'abolish the death penalty' sign and did a u-turn) and asked why I am against the death penalty. It was a frank and respectful exchange with some folks who have a very difficult job and who see things people shouldn't ever see. I listened. They listened. People have consistently shown some respect for the convictions which lead us to walk so far. They advised as to how dangerous they consider that neighborhood to be. I thanked them for their concern and prayed for them safety, alertness and wisdom as I walked away.
There were more conversations along the road into the South Side, then an envigorating crossing over the beautiful James River into the city! But the best was yet to come.
For the three days leading into Richmond, we were aided by a woman whose son is serving a long sentence after conviction for murder. While her son is not on death row, her story of heartbreak and perseverance reminded us of so many families of people on death row.
At the end of the day, we were met by our host for the evening in Richmond, Georgi Fisher, a murder victim family member and board member of Murder Victim Families for Reconciliation. While in the South Side, we had actually walked by the site of her sister's murder.
While prayerwalking around the legislative building and governor's mansion was powerful, the highlight of the day, and one of the highlights of this Pilgrimage, was the meeting of the mother of a son convicted of murder, and Georgi, the sister of a murder victim. They talked about their experiences, found a deep connection with each other and, I suspect, will make a point of staying in contact with each other. That's an example of what we mean by Reconciliation.
On the South Side, as they call it here, two Richmond police officers pulled over near me (after one of them literally screamed from their passing car in response to my 'abolish the death penalty' sign and did a u-turn) and asked why I am against the death penalty. It was a frank and respectful exchange with some folks who have a very difficult job and who see things people shouldn't ever see. I listened. They listened. People have consistently shown some respect for the convictions which lead us to walk so far. They advised as to how dangerous they consider that neighborhood to be. I thanked them for their concern and prayed for them safety, alertness and wisdom as I walked away.
There were more conversations along the road into the South Side, then an envigorating crossing over the beautiful James River into the city! But the best was yet to come.
For the three days leading into Richmond, we were aided by a woman whose son is serving a long sentence after conviction for murder. While her son is not on death row, her story of heartbreak and perseverance reminded us of so many families of people on death row.
At the end of the day, we were met by our host for the evening in Richmond, Georgi Fisher, a murder victim family member and board member of Murder Victim Families for Reconciliation. While in the South Side, we had actually walked by the site of her sister's murder.While prayerwalking around the legislative building and governor's mansion was powerful, the highlight of the day, and one of the highlights of this Pilgrimage, was the meeting of the mother of a son convicted of murder, and Georgi, the sister of a murder victim. They talked about their experiences, found a deep connection with each other and, I suspect, will make a point of staying in contact with each other. That's an example of what we mean by Reconciliation.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Open letter to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine
While walking Virginia’s roads this morning, thinking of the scheduled execution of Robert Yarborough, I found myself wanting to talk with Governor Tim Kaine. Perhaps ‘way will open’ for us to talk with him or someone else in his office. In the meantime, here’s an open letter to him.
Governor Kaine,
I’m writing to let you know that we’ll pass through your neighborhood today and it would be nice to drop in for a visit. I’m part of a group walking from Raleigh, NC en route to Washington, DC because we see how wrong and damaging the death penalty is and we want it abolished. Today our group includes five Virginians and we expect more along the way.
In the past few years, we have come to know families of people on death row and families of murder victims, and we’ve learned that the death penalty harms them all. This is very personal and important to us; thus we are walking the 300 miles to spread the word.
One of our many objections to the death penalty is that it is one of the many ways that our society gives lip service and empty promises to families of murder victims instead of helping them toward actual healing and learning to live with the horrible losses they experience. Another objection is the way it inflicts on yet another family the insult that we say is so horrible for anyone to inflict. It simply adds more senseless and tragic violence to situations that are already far too violent and senselessly tragic.
We walk to remember murder victims and their families and to call for real support for them rather than lip service and illusions of ‘closure.’ We walk to remember the families of people on death row who are not guilty of any crime and yet pay such a cruel price. We find that the families on both sides have an amazing amount in common in the loss and suffering they endure. We need to do more to prevent the losses of the former. We, and you, can do everything to reduce the losses of the latter.
There will come a time in the not too distant future when society will judge capital punishment as harshly as we now judge slavery. It took devoted people of faith and courageous political leaders to lead us to abolition of slavery. They took great risks and now are considered visionaries and heroes. I invite you to be one of the visionaries and heroes who lead us to abolition of capital punishment. This week, before Virginia executes its 100th person of ‘the modern era’ of capital punishment, is a great time to lead up that path.
Thank you for hearing us. We arrive in Richmond this afternoon between 4 and 5 PM. We’d value the opportunity to meet with you face to face either today or tomorrow at your convenience.
May the peace and courage and compassion of God be with you,
Scott Bass
2008 Pilgrimage of Remembrance: Making Strides toward Abolition and Reconciliation
Governor Kaine,
I’m writing to let you know that we’ll pass through your neighborhood today and it would be nice to drop in for a visit. I’m part of a group walking from Raleigh, NC en route to Washington, DC because we see how wrong and damaging the death penalty is and we want it abolished. Today our group includes five Virginians and we expect more along the way.
In the past few years, we have come to know families of people on death row and families of murder victims, and we’ve learned that the death penalty harms them all. This is very personal and important to us; thus we are walking the 300 miles to spread the word.
One of our many objections to the death penalty is that it is one of the many ways that our society gives lip service and empty promises to families of murder victims instead of helping them toward actual healing and learning to live with the horrible losses they experience. Another objection is the way it inflicts on yet another family the insult that we say is so horrible for anyone to inflict. It simply adds more senseless and tragic violence to situations that are already far too violent and senselessly tragic.
We walk to remember murder victims and their families and to call for real support for them rather than lip service and illusions of ‘closure.’ We walk to remember the families of people on death row who are not guilty of any crime and yet pay such a cruel price. We find that the families on both sides have an amazing amount in common in the loss and suffering they endure. We need to do more to prevent the losses of the former. We, and you, can do everything to reduce the losses of the latter.
There will come a time in the not too distant future when society will judge capital punishment as harshly as we now judge slavery. It took devoted people of faith and courageous political leaders to lead us to abolition of slavery. They took great risks and now are considered visionaries and heroes. I invite you to be one of the visionaries and heroes who lead us to abolition of capital punishment. This week, before Virginia executes its 100th person of ‘the modern era’ of capital punishment, is a great time to lead up that path.
Thank you for hearing us. We arrive in Richmond this afternoon between 4 and 5 PM. We’d value the opportunity to meet with you face to face either today or tomorrow at your convenience.
May the peace and courage and compassion of God be with you,
Scott Bass
2008 Pilgrimage of Remembrance: Making Strides toward Abolition and Reconciliation
Bittersweet Day
Bittersweet Day
This evening we can almost smell Richmond as we settle down on the floors of a house owned by Chester (VA) United Methodist Church. Wow! One week ago today we set out on this little walk. Today, we passed the midpoint of this 300-mile journey! Today was our longest mileage day – 27 – thanks to an early start and the no show of expected thunderstorms. And we were joined by 5 Virginians today.
As exciting as it was to pass the halfway point, it was so sad to say, “Goodbye,” to the Biesack family who have walked with us all week and whose multitude of talents have made the load so much lighter for all. While so many have contributed so much, we simply have to say our biggest ‘thank you’ to Dave, Debbie and Ellen for the time and talent they’ve given in preparing for and conducting this Pilgrimage. We felt a bit deflated when they left for home after lunch today. Furthermore, Abe, Beth and Isaac from DC and Beth from Durham left at the same time, leaving us with our smallest crew yet.
But this journey is so amazing! We continued the afternoon’s segment with Steve and Daniel from Norfolk and in just a few yards Grant, Daniel and Scott encountered Smitty. While we braced ourselves for the familiar ‘eye for an eye’ (why is it that those are the only words of Scripture that so many people know?) speech, Smitty surprised us with heartfelt praise, words of wisdom and some of his story. He talked about spending more than 20 years of his life in prison. He talked about what an awful place it was. (Seems the only people who think prison is such a pampered and easy life are people who’ve never been there. I have yet to hear people who’ve lived or worked in a prison describe it as anything but difficult.) He also talked about the difficulties of adjusting to life on the outside and how little help is available to help former inmates transition successfully.
Smitty told us that our walking to remember murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families and calling for an end to the death penalty was a good and admirable thing to do. He closed with some wisdom he said he’d learned from life inside and outside of prison. “People either respect life or they don’t. You can’t make a person respect life by threatening to kill him.” --Scott
This evening we can almost smell Richmond as we settle down on the floors of a house owned by Chester (VA) United Methodist Church. Wow! One week ago today we set out on this little walk. Today, we passed the midpoint of this 300-mile journey! Today was our longest mileage day – 27 – thanks to an early start and the no show of expected thunderstorms. And we were joined by 5 Virginians today.
As exciting as it was to pass the halfway point, it was so sad to say, “Goodbye,” to the Biesack family who have walked with us all week and whose multitude of talents have made the load so much lighter for all. While so many have contributed so much, we simply have to say our biggest ‘thank you’ to Dave, Debbie and Ellen for the time and talent they’ve given in preparing for and conducting this Pilgrimage. We felt a bit deflated when they left for home after lunch today. Furthermore, Abe, Beth and Isaac from DC and Beth from Durham left at the same time, leaving us with our smallest crew yet.
But this journey is so amazing! We continued the afternoon’s segment with Steve and Daniel from Norfolk and in just a few yards Grant, Daniel and Scott encountered Smitty. While we braced ourselves for the familiar ‘eye for an eye’ (why is it that those are the only words of Scripture that so many people know?) speech, Smitty surprised us with heartfelt praise, words of wisdom and some of his story. He talked about spending more than 20 years of his life in prison. He talked about what an awful place it was. (Seems the only people who think prison is such a pampered and easy life are people who’ve never been there. I have yet to hear people who’ve lived or worked in a prison describe it as anything but difficult.) He also talked about the difficulties of adjusting to life on the outside and how little help is available to help former inmates transition successfully.
Smitty told us that our walking to remember murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families and calling for an end to the death penalty was a good and admirable thing to do. He closed with some wisdom he said he’d learned from life inside and outside of prison. “People either respect life or they don’t. You can’t make a person respect life by threatening to kill him.” --Scott
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