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Prisoners Of Conscience |
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Now I'm not going to bore you with all the emails back and forth, just a few that contain data relative to the decision making process and a few others to provide the "flavor" of the "goings on". I also had quite a few telephone conversations with Libby Johnson concerning the Run. I was also able to talk directly with Libby when I visited her in Maryville in early October. I had asked Jim if he would go down with me to help get her computer on line and to do some fix-ups on her house that Erik had requested help for, via Lissa. Jules tagged along and we did everything she needed while we were there. "Course" Jim and Jules did most of the work while I did most of the "talkin". I explained the Run to her and I got to talk to Erik , who, remarkably had called from prison while we were there, and briefly explained to him what we were up to concerning the run. I cannot remember all the details from all the telephone conversations I had with people but I did save most off my emails and I am including these narratives as some of the emails that went back and forth during the preparations I was making for the Run. I include them as an historical perspective. |
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Email: From me to Libby Johnson 10/20/2002 Hi Libby: Here is a brief summary on the Run For Freedom. I hope it is what you are looking for. ================================== The Run is based on the Native American tradition of spreading a message by running from village to village. The participants in the run not only support those imprisoned by their prayers while running but also speak to folks along the way informing them of injustices all around the world. It is called a Run but you do not have to run to participate. Walking is prefered by many and is necessary for those who by injury, age or choice, cannot or do not want to run. No one is excluded. The only "rules" governing the runners are that no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed during the Run. Leonard Peltier is the "poster child" for the Run For Freedom. This by no means excludes others including prisoners of conscience, the wrongfully convicted or death row inmates. All are included within the spirit of the Run. The running creed is "every step is a prayer, every mile is a ceremony". ================================== |
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Email: From Jim to me 10/22/2002 Hey I just got a confirm from Jonny C. so add him to the list of runners |
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Email: From me to Jim 10/22/2002 Jimbo: Libby Johnson asked me to send her a description of the "Run For Freedom" so she could pass it around to her relatives, friends and neighbors to let them know about it. I wrote the following: ================================== The Run is based on the Native American tradition of spreading a message by running from village to village. The participants in the run not only support those imprisoned by their prayers while running but also speak to folks along the way informing them of injustices all around the world. It is called a Run but you do not have to run to participate. Walking is prefered by many and is necessary for those who by injury, age or choice, cannot or do not want to run. No one is excluded. The only "rules" governing the runners are that no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed during the Run. Leonard Peltier is the "poster child" for the Run For Freedom. This by no means excludes others including prisoners of conscience, the wrongfully convicted or death row inmates. All are included within the spirit of the Run. The running creed is "every step is a prayer, every mile is a ceremony". ================================== I hope this meets with your approval. |
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Email: From Jim to me 10/22/2002 Very nice dad |
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Email: From me to Libby Johnson 10/22/2002 Libby: I am going to call you Thursday and explain to you how these Runs work. It is to difficult to explain in an email. In the meantime I am sending you a flyer that you can copy, see attachment, and pass around. Jules made up this flyer and we are using up here. If for some reason you can't download it and print it let me know asap and I will send you a copy. I have emailed Peter today and am anxious to hear back from him. You mentioned that OREPA and your daughter might want to participate. This would be great! The more the better. I am sending Ralph a copy of the flyer also. I know you are very busy but I am hoping that you can squeeze a little time in to help get this going in your neighborhood. Of all the runs, walks and actions I have been involved in this Run means more to me than any other I can remember because it is dedicated to friends that we actually know! Not a cause, not people we know of, but real people that we have shared our lives with. This will be the most spiritual run of all! More later. Blessed are the Peacemakers. A hug and much love John |
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Email: From me to Peter Johnson 10/22/2002 Hi Peter: I don't know if you remember me but I met you this summer at your house in Maryville when your parents hosted the Atlanta to Oak Ridge Peace Pilgrimage. I was with the walking group. I have been a member of the Run For Freedom in Cincinnati since it's conception. Briefly, the run was established with the primary purpose of bringing public awareness to "political prisoners" around the world. Since my experience this summer with Patrick Liteky and your father Erik it seemed to me that their plight represented the true spirit of what the Run For Freedom represented. In talking to some of the others in our group they all agreed. We therefore are organizing the "Run For Freedom - Prisoners of Conscience" to honor the sacrifice that Erik, Patrick and the other SOA43 have made and to let them know they are not alone. I visited Libby a few weeks ago with my son and a friend. We discussed the run and Libby said you would probably want to participate. The run will be held on Nov 23rd. The run will be from Litte Turtle Monument in Covington Ky and will end somewhere in the vacinity of the FCI Manchester where your father is being held. We will hold a prayer vigil following the closing ceremony. I am sending Libby more information and if you are interested I will copy this to you. If you want to participate please contact me asap. I will be glad to send you more information after I hear from you. I have attached a flyer that Jules Hegge made up. Feel free to make copies and spread the word around. The more people that take part the bigger the impact, especially to those in the "Iron House"! More later. Blessed are the Peacemakers. A hug and much love John |
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Email: From me to Peter Johnson 10/22/2002 Peter: I just got this in and thought I would send it to you. See attachment. If you cannot download it and print it email me your mailing address and I will send you a copy right away. Your Mom told me about the "peace-by-peace" group you have on campus there and I thought that you might want to stick a few of these flyers around so if anyone in your group wanted to be involved in a direct action they could do so. More later. Blessed are the Peacemakers. A hug and much love John |
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Email: From me to
Jon Blickenstaff
10/23/2002 Hey DeCafe': My mindless "bull ticky" does not seem to bother you to much so let me pass this by you. Libby Johnson asked me to send her a description of the "Run For Freedom" so she could pass it around to her relatives, friends and neighbors to let them know about it. I wrote the following: ================================== The Run is based on the Native American tradition of spreading a message by running from village to village. The participants in the run not only support those imprisoned by their prayers while running but also speak to folks along the way informing them of injustices all around the world. It is called a Run but you do not have to run to participate. Walking is prefered by many and is necessary for those who by injury, age or choice, cannot or do not want to run. No one is excluded. The only "rules" governing the runners are that no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed during the Run. Leonard Peltier is the "poster child" for the Run For Freedom. This by no means excludes others including prisoners of conscience, the wrongfully convicted or death row inmates. All are included within the spirit of the Run. The running creed is "every step is a prayer, every mile is a ceremony". ================================== Please let me know what you think. |
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Email: From Jon Blickenstaff to me
10/24/2002 John, This looks good to me. The only thing I might add is a description of how the run works. Many people can't imagine how we do the runs, and often that's what they question most. ........,. Jon |
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