Memorial Walk Across Ohio
Memorial Walk Across Ohio: September 17th to October 5th,
walk for a day or a week or more with Sam Reese Sheppard, in memory
of his parents and all children whose lives have been touched by
violence, and to promote the ABA's call for a national moratorium on
executions and the fact that viable alternatives to the death
penalty exist in Ohio.
Everyone is invited to call 800-973-6548 ext#3 for a daily update
on the following day's schedule. The message is updated every day by
9pm and includes exact time and place Sheppard will resume walking
as well as times and locations of Public events when scheduled.
Sam's Statement
From Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. & Marilyn Sheppard
September 8, 1997
Alternatives - Memorial Walk
"Upon the event of the exhumation of my father's body to
test for DNA, I have decided to walk across the state of Ohio.
"I wish to dedicate the walk to the memory of my mother and
father, and to call attention to the plight of children whose lives
are touched by the tragedy of violence in our society -- the
children who must live the rest of their lives with the anguish of a
murdered parent, or a parent awaiting execution.
"As we await the results of further DNA testing in the
Sheppard case, I will walk in a day of silent mourning for my mother
and father (the press permitting) and then proceed to walk across
Ohio. I will walk from my mothers grave site to the site of her
murder, then south to Mansfield where death row prisoners are
housed, to Marion and Columbus where my father spent ten years of
his life wrongfully imprisoned, and from there to Cincinnati. This
is the way I must deal with my private anguish. I will walk and
meditate. People may join at certain junctures.
"My friends and I will urge the people of Ohio to look at
the American Bar Association's study, calling for a moratorium on
the death penalty in the USA because of its unfairness, disparity
and futility.
"We hope Ohio will halt the horror and terror of executions
before they begin.
"We need to reexamine the motives that re-enforce the
expression of revenge and retaliation in our society. We should
reallocate funding to prevent murder and to help the victims family
members and the offender family members socially and
psychologically.
"We believe that politicians who push for the death penalty
are out of touch with the true aspects of a humane people. The
alternative of 25 years or more without possibility of parole, with
restitution payments to the victims families, proves to be the
answer which will allow us to look beyond the fear and division so
that we may build communities of caring and peace.
"My friends and I hope to see you along the way - on the
Alternatives-Memorial Walk Across Ohio."
WALK WITH SAM
Anyone interested in walking with Sam for part of all of the way
must be in good physical shape and able to maintain a vigorous pace.
Contact us to discuss logistical and other concerns.
Opportunities to join the walk for shorter, planned marches and
demonstrations, and to hear Sam and others speak, are in development
for various locations along the way over the course of this 18 day
event and will be announced regularly. Call 800-973-6548, extension
#3 for updates.
Volunteers are needed in Ohio to help coordinate logistics and
organizing opportunities.
Please contact Abe Bonowitz via e-mail at abe@cuadp.org
or by pager at 888-998-2192 to discuss volunteering opportunities
and potential compensation of related expenses.
SUPPORT SAM
Sam Sheppard's Alternatives-Memorial Walk Across Ohio is being
coordinated in conjunction with state and local organizations by
Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Sam will be
supported by other murder victims family members, supporters, and
"Abolition Movin'", the bus associated with the Journey of
Hope... from violence to healing. Sam's desire and intent is for
this walk to invigorate informed discussion among the citizens of
Ohio about the viable alternatives to the death penalty already in
the Ohio statute.
Financial contributions are welcome and needed: CUADP's tax
exempt status is pending approval by the IRS. Checks may be made
payable and sent to:
CUADP
P.O. Box 65675
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Contributions may also be made by VISA or MasterCard. Please send
your name as it appears on the card, billing address, card #,
expiration date and telephone number, to the above snail-mail
address or privately to cuadp@cuadp.org
Be sure to indicate how much of a contribution you wish to make.
Funds will be used to support logistical, public education and
public relations efforts with regard to the Alternatives-Memorial
walk, and to support development of Ohio anti-death penalty
activism.
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