PeaceHq

Nuclear Free Future Run - 2004
Runner Revelations
John Toren



   I first met Erik Johnson when I was on a pilgrimage with the Atlanta Dojo to the protest at Y12 nuclear complex in Oak Ridge Tennessee. He an his wife Libby hosted all the walkers at their "old yellow" house in Maryville Tennessee. Erik had crossed the line the year before at Ft. Benning during the SOAW protest and was going to begin his prison sentence a few months later. I got to know Erik and Libby very well during this period of time. I had been around the peace community for a number of years but this was actually the first time I knew in person someone who was a prisoner of conscience. I always admired the courage of folks like Ghandi and Mohammed Ali who chose prison over evil doings but when I was actually in the company of someone who dilberately took these actions knowing full well that they would be living a nightmare for a goodly part of their lives it changed me in ways I cannot properly communicate with words.

   I know only this. Erik Johnson not only gave up 6 months of his life, his loving wife, children, Sage the dog and all the good things that God has provided us with, in one of the most noble causes that exist, but this man also gave up his position as a pastor of his church. You see Erik is an ordained minister that could not go back to preaching his inspiring words to his flock because of his arrest and conviction as a felon. Yet in our opening ceremony Erik never mentioned any of his and his family's tribulations during their self imposed hardship. No, but he talked about all the others like Janice Sevre-Duszynska who also lost her job for her courageous witness and Fr. Jerry Zawada who is the last prisoner of conscience from last year's SAOW protest still in prison. I feed off of Erik and Libby's courage. It overwhelms me! It makes me want to work harder than ever to keep going. I was so greatful and so honored to be with this giant of a man on this run!



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