Pictures from the Sacramento Rally

Walk ends in Sacramento on Nov. 30th!

The event in Sacramento went very well... we had over 100 people, lots of students, good speakers...timing went just fine...took us about 45 minutes for the walk. I think everyone liked it. I got to our gathering point at 10:45am and expected to be the first one there (came with Sr. Catherine and Marilyn from our DPF chapter). We saw this huge crowd, so I assumed it was for some other event...but what do you know...it was us! Several TV stations, the radio station KPFA, and some print media showed up. They did lots of interviews. Lots of good spirit!

From Ellen, Nov. 30, 2007


The Walk ended in Sacramento on November 30th and it was a huge success. We had newspaper and TV coverage at almost every rally. All who participated at the rallies or walked with us deserve a big Thank You. A special thank you goes to Stefanie and the other folks at Death Penalty Focus. Their effort made this much more successful walk than the one I did in 2000. Hopefully a walk will not be necessary in 2014 because the death penalty will be a thing of the past.

From Richard Carlburg, Dec. 4, 2007

Photos from San Quentin

Photos from San Jose

Walk Reaches San Quentin: KTVU News Coverage

Here is a good video from KTVU Channel 2 News on the Walk to Stop Executions. Its about 3.5 minutes.

"SAN QUENTIN: David Stevenson Reports On Efforts To Halt Death Penalty - Video - KTVU San Francisco." The link:www.ktvu.com/video/14633963/index.html?taf=fran

Pictures from Alameda County (Oakland)

Report from Santa Cruz

On Wednesday Nov. 7th, death penalty activists gathered at the Court House in Santa Cruz to voice their support for an end to the death penalty and to join Richard Carlburg and Jeff Ghelardi on their walk from San Diego to Sacramento. Emily Malone, from Santa Cruz, expressed her appreciation to District Attorney Bob Lee who has not sought the death penalty and for the fact that there is no one currently on death row from Santa Cruz County. Derrel Myers, whose son JoJo was murdered at the age of 23, spoke passionately against the death penalty. The event was covered by the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and several other media outlets.

Photo and Report by Terry McCaffrey

Report from Salinas

Richard and Jeff passed through Salinas on the way to Santa Cruz. About ten locals joined them on the outskirts of Salinas and walked en masse to the County Courthouse in downtown Salinas, with media coverage most of the way. Another ten or so supporters were waiting on the courthouse steps. There were few short speeches and some interviews, with coverage by KION (local CBS affiliate), Univision, and The Californian (Salinas newspaper), and the boys were on their way. Jeff and Richard reported that they were able to watch the unbiased KION tv story later that day.

Report by Mark of Salinas

Pictures from Ventura

Santa Barbara Press Coverage

Check out the article in the Santa Barbara Independent about the Walk.

Report from Ventura

Michelle Paschen organized a great rally at the Ventura Court House, followed by a walk to Ventura College. About 30 people attended the rally. David Howard, of Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, told how the death penalty not only does not deter violence, it increases violence. Most of the attendees then walked about two miles to Ventura College. At the college, Vera Ramirez-Crutcher of Oxnard, whose son was murdered, said of the death penalty, “It doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t give closure.” Then Jeff read his moving poem that is posted on this blog and a local minister closed the event.

The local Ventura County Star and AM Radio 570 covered the rally. The next day while I was walking through Carpinteria, a cameraman appeared out of nowhere and asked if he could take my picture. He works for the local newspaper, The Coastal View News. He took several pictures but did not ask any questions. He apparently knew all about our walk and said the pictures would be in the next edition of the paper. The word must be getting out.

By Richard Carlburg

Why do I walk?

I walk for Anthony Porter,
found innocent and set free
from death row
after 21 years of agony.
And for others like him.

I walk for Bill Pelke,
who lost his grandma to murder,
and who now devotes his life
to fighting the death penalty.
And for others like him.

I walk for the guilty on death row,
the pawns of macho politics.
I walk for the innocent on death row;
may they someday follow Anthony.
I walk for the innocent killed on death row;
may there be no more like them.

I walk for all the abolitionists;
you are the conscience of the community;
may you fight on ‘til justice is won.

I walk to Sacramento for our leaders there.
May their better angels emerge
so that politics give way to justice.
And for our leaders across America,
so that the iron doors of all death chambers
shall be locked and sealed tight, forever.


Jeff Ghelardi, October 2007

Report from Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, Emily Hammargren arranged at great demonstration at the court house. We had several great speakers including Mike Farrell and Rev. George Regas of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. Gloria Killian who was wrongfully convicted of murder gave a powerful appeal for reform of the justice system. Norm Stamper, a former Seattle police chief and 28-year veteran of the San Diego police Dept. said that the money spent on the death penalty could be better spent on cold cases. One third of all murders are not solved. Then Aqeela Sherrills, who son was murdered, said that justice not vengeance is what the murder victims’ families wanted.

Several media outlets recorded the event. The most important was the all-news radio station KFWB. Mike Farrell and Rabbi Jerry Goldstein’s comments were broadcast several times during the day. Also, Rabbi Goldstein had a letter to the LA Times published the next day.

For the next three days Jeff and I battled strong winds as we walked to Ventura. On Saturday we met a bicycle group doing a 100-mile bike ride and another group running a cross country race. Bicycle riders frequently eat bananas as they ride and I saw three banana peels. The first one I did not see and I slipped on it. I am not kidding.

The Walk Reaches Los Angeles on October 4th

Report from San Bernardino and Orange Counties

After leaving Riverside on September 21st we headed for San Bernardino where Carolyn Boyle and Verne Schweiger welcomed us.

About thirty people gathered in front of the San Bernardino Court House on Monday, September 24th to protest the death penalty. A local priest spoke of the first murder recorded in the Book of Genesis. The murderer, Cain, feared that he would be killed by his victim’s friends. To prevent this God marked Cain so that everyone would know that Cain’s life should be spared.

Carolyn Boyle spoke and introduced a series of speakers including Jeff and I. We were interviewed by two Spanish speaking newspapers, La Prensa and La Opinion. Also the San Bernardino Sun printed a picture of the demonstration on its front page.

We then left for Orange County. On Wednesday, Jeff set a new record for longest non-stop walk, when he walked almost six miles uninterrupted. I read my magazines. It was an easy day.

On Thursday, September 27th Jan Urban met us four miles from the Orange County Court House and walked the route with Jeff. I transported signs to the court house.

About fifteen people were at the Orange County demonstration led by local activist Dave Johnson. Fr. Bill Barman led us in Sister Helen’s prayer. Jeff asked the absent district attorney, Tony Rackauckas, to save Orange County’s tax money by not seeking the death penalty.

Exoneree Tom Goldstein reported on the injustice that resulted in his 24 year jail term for a murder he did not commit. The event was covered by local TV Channel 56 (Channel 12 on most cable systems.)

Now we’re on to Los Angeles!

By Richard Carlburg