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Prisoners Of Conscience |
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I wanted very much to let all the Runners know how I personally felt about their effort and I wanted to share with them all the other letters and stories that I had received post run. So I composed the following and sent it to every Runner. This includes: Jim Toren, Jon Blickenstaff, Terry Stagman, Curtis Gutter, Pumla Pamla, Rachael Zerkle, Jules Hegge, Albert RunningWolf and Jon Burkindine. I believe I also sent a copy to Libby but I can't find it. |
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Email: 12/02/2002 My Dear Friend (name) , My Family, My Running Mate: I have sent this letter to all our running mates. I now want to share with you some of what was going through my mind while we sat in circle in Manchester.. As we circled in the Motel in Manchester my heart was filled with so much emotion that I dare not speak. There were many thoughts that I wanted to share with you that have been instilled in me through my months of contact with those we were running for . I hope that by sharing the statements from the letters I received gave you an inkling of the importance of what we had accomplished in solidarity with those who could not be with us. I have no adequate words to describe the love, admiration and respect I hold in my heart for you. I want to thank you from the bottom of that same heart for once again putting your feet on the pavement for such a noble cause as this run exemplified! I have never, NEVER, been prouder to be with anyone, anywhere, at any time in my life! Thousands of people were affected by this run, thousands! Word was spread over 20 some odd jails, FMCs, FPCs and FCIs from Maine to California and it was not kept secret. The prison grapevine was working overtime. There was even one case where a prisoner, not SOA37, but just a normal prisoner found out about this Run in a jail in Georgia from an inmate from a FPC in Illinois! Albert held a prayer ceremony at a Pow Wow for the Children making all there aware of our efforts! At FCI Manchester there was a road block beginning on Thursday and ending on Sunday! Libby and all other visitors were asked the purpose of their entrance before they were allowed up the road. In Erik's own words. "The news of your coming impacted 350+ BOP workers and neighbors, Manchester, inmates and afforded me at every chance to talk about SOA, Peace Runners, yearning for nonvolent path, etc." Erik quotes from Thomas Nerton "Do not depend on the hope of results. We act because of what we believe and who we are, not because we expect or need immediate results." Erik goes on to say "I am confident that the power and witness of your run from Janice's place of incarceration at Lexington to Manchester reverberated far and wide in ways unseen and unknown to you." --------------------------------- Albert Running Wolf of the Choctaw nation wanted to participate in this last weekends Run For Freedom Prisoners of Conscience. But he had a prior engagement as a MC at the Pow Wow for the Children. So instead of running, at 3:00pm he gathered everyone at the Pow Wow and had a prayer for the runners and the Prisoners that have sacrificed so much for us. (Albert was as much a part of this Run as any of us were. JMT) --------------------------------- At noon on Saturday Erik Johnson walked 12 miles until 3pm as a showing of gratitude and solidarity for our efforts. His walk was terminated when there was a prisoner recall and a lock-down due to the fact that the prison authorites believed we were approaching the prison at 3pm. ---------------------------- Patrick Liteky was on a 30 day fast that ended on SOA protest day. ---------------------------- From Julia Shideler: ... I must admit I do not feel as courageous and noble as you make it seem. I simply felt that this was something I must do to obey God; and therefore it gave me joy to do so. He is the one providing strength and hope and courage and graditude; it's not mine at all... And I hope that the judge convicts me and assigns me time in prison. I hope for this not because I am excited to endure the consequences or want the "glory", but because I think that many more people will be touched and moved to join the movement. Two school teachers have already told me that they will attend the vigil next year, and they are paying close attention now because of the personal connection they have to the cause--namely myself. And I fear that some will soon forget about the SOA if I get released. They will be grateful I do not have to spend time in prison and will go back to their old ways of life. Not so if they carry on for six months knowing that I am in prison. This will also allow them to feel compassion for other prisoners in the movement, and hopefully for all those prisoners world-wide who are detained unjustly and the Latin Americans who suffered from the SOA's graduates. I also think that prison time will be fuel for the campaigns which are trying to educate Americans that their civil liberties are eroding. This would be a case in point. And the third "cause" that will be brought more fully into the light is the plight of prisoners and the injustice of the penal system in general. What I can witness first hand will be educational for myself, and will educate and inspire concern in the hearts of many others. In short, I see jail-time as an opportunity to help combat apathy. People may have nominal concern for the issues, but much concern for me. If they think I'm being mistreated or suffering, their compassionate nature will blossom--and perhaps shake them of complacency and the consent of silence. It's only natural...even if it compels one person to prayer and action on behalf of others, I will think of it as beneficial. And I have faith that God will lead me through it, so there is nothing to fear. Your "run for freedom" sounds awesome. I wish I could have been a part of it; and it inspires me to try to organize one locally. There are a lot of runners in this neck of the woods! ... -------------------------- Roger , a friend and cell mate of Erik's in FCI Manchester and a Lakota Indian, "lifted prayers" for all of us in a 3 hour sweat lodge held within the prison walls on Sunday! Roger was a stranger to Erik until a week before the Run. When he heard about the Run from a friend who had received one of our emails he came into Erik's cell "beaming"(Erik's words) and was very excited to hear of our action. We have helped Erik and Roger join in friendship, love and mutual respect in prison and believe me this IS IMPORTANT!!!. Especially to Erik and Roger!!! -------------------------- Manchester News Paper: "Ever see anyone run from Newport to Manchester? You might this Saturday." The article goes on to describe, not very accurately, the run and states it is a effort "to bring public awareness to the plight of political prisoners". Nov 21, 2002 A-5 -------------------------- Toni Kathleen Flynn - Crisp County Jail "Thank you all for remembering me and the other fine SAO37 witnesses/prisoners." -------------------------- John Herd - FPC Schuykill, Minersville, PA "Your all's run offers a grain of hope in a barren time - one from your hearts, that gets carried by your feet - communally. The Wobblies used to say "Vote with your feet." Your run is part of the antidote to what we witnessed on Nov 5th... You's taking your feet & voices to the street in a run that'll continue long after the finish line of that day." -------------------------- John Patrick Liteky - Crisp county Jail "By running, walking, praying, chanting, fasting you an I are witness to the world, in the most disarming ways that we are putting our lives on the line - across the line! - for peace, justice, love and nonviolence. I sing along with U-2 "WALK ON,WALK ON, WALK ON!"" (Pat means us when he refers to U-2. - JMT) ------------------------ Pastor Charles Booker-Hirsch - FCI Mckean, Bradford PA "Thank you once again for your prophetic efforts! May you run and not be weary, walk and not be faint!" ------------------------ Janice Sevre-Duszynska - FPC Lexington, Lexington, KY "I commend all of you for your spirited efforts in behalf of peace and justice in our world community." ------------------------- Kathleen Boylan - FPC Alderson, Alderson, WV "Thanks to all the running group for caring about suffering people like Leonard Peltier and the victims of graduates of the SOA. I am honored to be included in your good effort." -------------------------- Kathleen Desauth - Greenville FPC, Greenville, IL "Thanks to all the Runners. Sorry to hear Greenville is not in your path but believe me I appreciate your support for the closing of the SOA. Blessings on you each and all." ----------------------- Kate Fontanazza - FPC Greenville, Greenville, IL "God bless you all on your Run For Freedom. Peace, Salaam, Shalom." ---------------------- Erik Johnson - FCI Manchester, Manchester, KY "Sisters! Brothers! We who need each other are together in a world so violent. We dare not desair because we are together in the hope born of struggle for freedom from fear, war, oppression and violence. Keep on running, dear riends, and we who need each other will bring God's justice and liberation." ----------------------- Thats all I can choke out for now. I love you so very, very much. Blessed are the Peacemakers. A hug and much love John |
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I suppose you could call the email a little on the "mushy" side but I was still getting letters from the prisoners at the time and I was having a hard time coming down from what was a tremendous high. But I did get the following 2 responses from both Jons. |
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Reply From Jon Blickenstaff: 12/02/2002 John, Thanks for sending this out. I have to suck in my emotions as I read the heartfelt thanks from those prisoners of conscious. We are blessed and honored to have the run as a method of supporting our friends in prison. I really think it brings tangible sustenance to them. The energy we expend on the road is an offering of strength for them. They are stronger and more able to stay true to their convictions, the reason they are there in the first place, by our running. Thank you for being the catalyst and for making all the contacts with the prisoners. Their words are such an inspiration. love, Jon |
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Reply From Jon Burkindine: 12/03/2002 Thanks for the always, much needed, emotional lift. It's good to know that we affect so many... it helps to keep out that hopeless feeling. -jon |
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