Having completed the first ten hot miles of this 300-mile journey, I'm already feeling the physical pain in my ankles and the ache and burn of too much sun on my head and face. It only takes a second to remember that the 'pain' we experience on this journey is nothing compared to the pain of the families of murder victims and of those on death row!
Strangely, I also am thinking of a line from the original Jaws movie when the main characters realize the size of their task and one says, "We're gonna need a bigger boat!" As I feel the sunburn, I'm thinking, "I'm gonna need a bigger hat!", not to mention something for this ankle pain... SB
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
An inspiring start
We began our Pilgrimage of Remebrance today,
June 16.
It was a busy day! We started at Central Prison with silent prayer
and a short greeting to the prisoners on Death Row.
We
walked through the streets of Raleigh, passing to remember a murder victim at the sight of a murder on South St. We were fortunate to be joined by the parents of a death row inmate and by John Comer of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation. MVFR is one of the Pilgrimage's endorsers.
Our next stops were
the courthouse in downtown Raleigh, where capital cases are tried. We remembered the anguish suffered by all who must endure a capital trial. A few short steps north brought us to the old Capitol building an the heart of Raleigh. Gov. Mike Easley's office is located here. Each time there is an execution, many come to the Governor's office to plead clemency.
We continued through Bicentennial Plaza, past the NC Legislative Building, and on to the Governor's Mansion. Gov Easley has only granted clemency in a death sentence two times, in 2001 and 2002.
Our march then continued north. We stopped at the site of another murder in Raleigh before picking up the pace in order to get north of the 540/US1 exchange by 6:00. We crossed Raleigh's 440 outer beltline on the Capital Boulevard bridge.
(Some of the younger set took a ride in the sag wagon to get around the busier traffic areas, or simply to rest and cool off on this 90 degree, sunny day in Raleigh.
)
This evening, we were welcomed to the Church of the Nativity in Raleigh for a gathering of prayers, some dinner, and fellowship. We are very grateful for the hospitality granted by Mother Diane Corlette, Rector of the Church of the Nativity. Diane is a former president of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty (PFADP).
Stephen Dear, current and tireless executive director of PFADP, was there with his family to greet us and give the core walkers fresh PFADP shirts to wear on our journey. (You can order your own "Fry okra, not people" shirt at www.pfadp.org). Folks from Rutpa house in Durham, Leah from the Capital Restorative Justice Project and Marcia Timmel provided food/and and support. PFADP and the Capital Restorative Justice Project are also endorsers of the Pilgrimage.
Rev. William Barber, president of the NC state NAACP, spoke to the group, to provide Strength for the Journey. Rev. Barber spoke, "We in the civil rights movement know the value of walking." He also voiced his - and the 20,000 members of NC NAACP - endorsement of the Pilgrimage. "As predident, I have some authority in such matters." We appreciate his kind and inspiring words, and we will contemplate them in the 290 remaining miles of our journey.
Right,
Rev William Barber accepts a PFADP shirt which reads "I have a brother on death row. So do you." From left to right: Marcia Timmel, Scott Bass, Roberta Mothershead, Steve Dear, Dwane Atkinson, Rev. William Barber, Patrick O'Neill.
June 16.It was a busy day! We started at Central Prison with silent prayer
and a short greeting to the prisoners on Death Row.
We
walked through the streets of Raleigh, passing to remember a murder victim at the sight of a murder on South St. We were fortunate to be joined by the parents of a death row inmate and by John Comer of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation. MVFR is one of the Pilgrimage's endorsers.Our next stops were
the courthouse in downtown Raleigh, where capital cases are tried. We remembered the anguish suffered by all who must endure a capital trial. A few short steps north brought us to the old Capitol building an the heart of Raleigh. Gov. Mike Easley's office is located here. Each time there is an execution, many come to the Governor's office to plead clemency.
We continued through Bicentennial Plaza, past the NC Legislative Building, and on to the Governor's Mansion. Gov Easley has only granted clemency in a death sentence two times, in 2001 and 2002.Our march then continued north. We stopped at the site of another murder in Raleigh before picking up the pace in order to get north of the 540/US1 exchange by 6:00. We crossed Raleigh's 440 outer beltline on the Capital Boulevard bridge.
(Some of the younger set took a ride in the sag wagon to get around the busier traffic areas, or simply to rest and cool off on this 90 degree, sunny day in Raleigh.
)This evening, we were welcomed to the Church of the Nativity in Raleigh for a gathering of prayers, some dinner, and fellowship. We are very grateful for the hospitality granted by Mother Diane Corlette, Rector of the Church of the Nativity. Diane is a former president of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty (PFADP).
Stephen Dear, current and tireless executive director of PFADP, was there with his family to greet us and give the core walkers fresh PFADP shirts to wear on our journey. (You can order your own "Fry okra, not people" shirt at www.pfadp.org). Folks from Rutpa house in Durham, Leah from the Capital Restorative Justice Project and Marcia Timmel provided food/and and support. PFADP and the Capital Restorative Justice Project are also endorsers of the Pilgrimage.
Rev. William Barber, president of the NC state NAACP, spoke to the group, to provide Strength for the Journey. Rev. Barber spoke, "We in the civil rights movement know the value of walking." He also voiced his - and the 20,000 members of NC NAACP - endorsement of the Pilgrimage. "As predident, I have some authority in such matters." We appreciate his kind and inspiring words, and we will contemplate them in the 290 remaining miles of our journey.Right,
Rev William Barber accepts a PFADP shirt which reads "I have a brother on death row. So do you." From left to right: Marcia Timmel, Scott Bass, Roberta Mothershead, Steve Dear, Dwane Atkinson, Rev. William Barber, Patrick O'Neill.In the news
Many media outlets published our press release, or contents thereof.
Only NBC 17 and the News and Observer came to cover the beginning
of the match on Sunday at Central Prison, Raleigh. NBC 17 shot some
of footage as we walked through Raleigh, and they interviewed Scott Bass.
A reporter from the News and Observer also interviewed Scott,
but the interviewer did not let Scott finish answering several questions,
and did not write down much of what Scott said. For example,
Scott tried to emphasize that a key component of our
Pilgrimage is that of remembering all victims of violence,
and that we especially wish to remember the murder victims
and their families and continue to show them compassion.
We hope this message will come out if and when the N&O
publishes the story. If not, please be assured that this
is part of why we walk; see our earlier blog posts.
Below are some of the media links as of Sunday evening,
June 16:
Only NBC 17 and the News and Observer came to cover the beginning
of the match on Sunday at Central Prison, Raleigh. NBC 17 shot some
of footage as we walked through Raleigh, and they interviewed Scott Bass.
A reporter from the News and Observer also interviewed Scott,
but the interviewer did not let Scott finish answering several questions,
and did not write down much of what Scott said. For example,
Scott tried to emphasize that a key component of our
Pilgrimage is that of remembering all victims of violence,
and that we especially wish to remember the murder victims
and their families and continue to show them compassion.
We hope this message will come out if and when the N&O
publishes the story. If not, please be assured that this
is part of why we walk; see our earlier blog posts.
Below are some of the media links as of Sunday evening,
June 16:
"Dozen death penalty opponents begin 300-mile walk"
Thursday, June 12, 2008
King's followers' pledge to the nonviolent movement
Maybe not all of this applies to us on our Pligimage, but let's meditate on it and pray over it anyway. It comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Why We Can't Wait, p.50-51.
Every volunteer was required to sign a commitment card that read:
Every volunteer was required to sign a commitment card that read:
I hereby pledge myself - my person and body - to the nonviolent movement.
Therefore, I will keep the following Ten Commandments:
- Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
- Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory.
- Walk and Talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
- Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
- Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
- Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
- Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
- Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
- Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
- Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.
I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Get a Pilgimage T-shirt
We hope you will join our Pilgrimage and walk with us to bring about abolition and reconciliation. Whether you can join us or not, you can support us by wearing one of our shirts. They are white cotton, so they will help keep you cool (in multiple ways) while you march for justice.A donation of $10 will help offset the costs of the shirts and the Pilgrimage. We will have the shirts available along the march.
The front reads:
Making Strides toward Abolition & Reconciliation
Pilgrimage and Walk of Remembrance
Raleigh NC to Washington D.C.
June 2008
The back reads:
Our Hope:
Restorative Justice
Compassion for Victims’ Families
Support for Death Row Families
Abolish the Death Penalty
Restorative Justice
Compassion for Victims’ Families
Support for Death Row Families
Abolish the Death Penalty
Reflection Wednesday, June 11, 2008
From Disarming the Heart by John Dear
From a review of John's book, by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat:
One way to define violence is to see it as the act of forgetting or ignoring who we are — brothers and sisters of one another, each one of us a child of God. Violence occurs in those moments when we forget and deny our basic identity as God's children, when we treat each other as if we were worthless instead of priceless, when we cling to our own selfish desires, possessions, and security.
From a review of John's book, by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat:
With great clarity and insight Dear lays out six points that comprise the spirit of nonviolence: (1) It means remembering we are all God's children; (2) it flows from unconditional, active love; (3) It invites solidarity with the poor and the oppressed; (4) it involves resistance and truth; (5) It is rooted in prayer; and (6) it is a way of transformation. The author challenges us to make a vow of nonviolence as a way of witnessing to others that God has disarmed us and wants to disarm us all.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Pilgrimage of Remembrance Agenda for Sunday June 15 and Monday June 16
Friends,
The 300-mile Pilgrimage of Remembrance: "Making Strides toward Abolition and Reconciliation" begins in Raleigh on June 15 at 1:00 PM at Central Prison, 1300 Western Blvd. We walk to remember murder victims, people on death row, the executed, the exonerated and the families of all these persons and we walk to call for an end to the death penalty.
For more information on the purpose of the Pilgrimage, please see our first blog post.
Schedules for our first two days are below. Those joining us at Central Prison are encouraged to park on Dorothea Drive or Cabarrus Street immediately east of the prison.
- Sunday, June 15
- 1:00 Gather for spiritual reflection and blessing of the Pilgrimage.
- 1:30 Begin walking
- 2:30 Prayer and Reflection on the State Capital grounds (also first stop for rest!)
- Resume walking by Governor's Mansion to Circus Restaurant, 1600 Wake Forest Road
- Continue walking up Capital Blvd to Triangle Town Center vicinity
- 6:00 Potluck Dinner and Service of Blessing and Support, Church of the Nativity, 8849 Ray Road
- Rev. William Barber speaking
- Monday, June 16
This will be a great time for so many of you who've said, "I'd like to walk with you but I can't" to eat with us and bless our journey.
- 8:00 AM Begin walking along Capital Blvd near Triangle Town Center. (For exact meeting location, call Scott at 919-231-9752.)
- Walk from Raleigh to Wake Forest to Franklinton.
Pressing needs:
- Food for Sunday's potluck dinner. It's hard to walk and cook at the same time, so we need people to bring food to Church of the Nativity, 8849 Ray Road, before 6:00 PM.
- We also need help with set up and clean up for the potluck.
Thanks for your support!
Scott & Roberta
Nazareth House
(919) 231-9752
Hospitality, Community, Simplicity, Peacemaking, Nonviolence & Prayer
Nazareth House
(919) 231-9752
Hospitality, Community, Simplicity, Peacemaking, Nonviolence & Prayer
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