Prisoners Of Conscience Run - 2004
Ceremony
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PeaceHq |
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Prisoners Of Conscience Run - 2004 |
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When the circle was formed Jim stated the purpose and process of the third annual Prisoner of Conscience Run, and then asked us to remember in our prayers for today some of our allies who were in dire need, one family coping with the death of a spouse and mother plus two families dealing with severe health poblems. When he finished his announcements he opened the circle for anyone to speak, and the first honor went to former prisoner of conscience on more than one occasion Erik Johnson. He began by noticing how different and diverse a group we were to come together in the circle of common cause for this event today. Very few activities in life put diverse peoples on a powerful common ground. The core group had learned this life altering principle by sharing the sacrifice on many events in the past, and since he was a rookie runner, I thought this a testimony to Erik's wisdom that he recognized it right from the get-go! He continued that he found it extraordinary (and again intuitively understood this principle from our descriptions) that eventhough the group would be stretched out over many miles we would be in cadence with one another as we spread our Footprayers. For Erik, this run should be a celebration of joy because 9 prisoners of conscience had completed their time and been released from incarceration just yesterday, and the JOY was in response to being reunited with their supporters, friends, and most of all their fanilies. He cautioned us to remember that there was still one POC in prison - Jerry Zawada - to direct our prayers to. Jerry is a priest and doing time for crossing the line at the SOA in a Fort Benning protest. He is known to have built up his great conviction while ministering to women from central and south America that had been tortured by their various governments. He also reminded us of other POC's like the Dominican sisters - Auta Platt, Clara Gilbert, and Jakie Hudson - serving long sentences of perhaps many years duration for beating on a missle silo in Colorado. He said that eventhough we may be distant from each other as we run our own sections of miles, we are all gently connected through peace to each other and to the community at large, and the wind and the Spirit will carry us along in strength, committment, and solidarity. Erik's good friend and veteran of many road events, John Toren spoke next. He began by saying how honored he felt to not only have an actual POC on this years run, but one of the POC's that actually inspired the beginning of the run. The first prisoner of conscience run was dedicated to Erik and another POC named Patrick Liteky. Erik was in the Manchester Prison when the runners arrived there at the end of the 2002 Run. Patrick Liteky served two months of his time in the local jail in Maryville Tennessee and the other six months at the Crisp Country jail in Georgia. While in prison Erik wrote these words that John read to the group: "Not a single word, cry, smile, prayer, run, walk, kiss, embrace, vigil, or act of civil resistance offered out of love for peace is lost in the struggle for justice and the renewal of this Sacred Earth and space." - Erik Johnson 12/08/2002. John continued that this little saying had stuck with him ever since he had first seen it - at which point John got a little emotional - and that everytime he is out on the road by himself and the going gets tough he thinks of these words and they inspire him to go on. He truly believes that every Footprayer he places on the ground is heard and that You Erik are a part of that to him and to us all. Then he inspired us further with another saying of Erik's that came after the 2002 run: "I am confident that the power and witness of your run from Lexington to Manchester reverbrated far and wide in ways unseen and unknown to you." John then tried to say how honored he was to run with Erik, but he broke down in the middle of it and had to hug Erik. Those of us who know John are amazed by the dichotomy of his "tough as a rawhide waffle side" balanced by his "sentimental, loving ole grampa" side, and here he was showing it today. From this point on the circle became a lovefest freeforall of hugging and back slapping, God bless you John and Erik for brining this out in us toughened ole road warriors. Amidst the chaos, Erik remarked "it is much better to be on the outside here for this run", to which Larry replied "and more fun also". Erik wasn't so sure and wanted to reserve judgement about the fun part for about 5 or 6 hours to see what kind of shape he was in after 10 or 12 miles on the road. He was undaunted by the challange, however, and the last thing he said before we left circle was "We have to be daring and think there is unimaginable things that might happen out of this run, beyond our wildest dreams." John echoed the group sentiment "I believe it!" Speaking last, Jon Blickenstaff put in his usual gracefilled, elegant, and simple words, "The run is a renewal experience, we get ground down by our day to day life, and then we get to come out and share the renewal of the road, and I am grateful for this blessing." Well put for someone who claims sometimes that he has nothing to say. So the circle went to move down the road. |
Participants Erik Johnson Jim Toren John Toren Jon Blickenstaff Larry Crane Maurizio Conti Home |