Friday, June 09, 2006

Virginia Journey of Hope: Oct. 13-29, 2006

The Journey of Hope is returning to Virginia October 13-29, 2006. Ten years ago the Journey, then an annual event of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation spread throughout the State of Virginia. MVFR Founder Marie Deans, MVFR Executive Director Pat Bane, and Henry Heller, Executive Director Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, did the bulk of the work in organizing the 1996 Virginia Journey of Hope.

In 1997 the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing incorporated. Since incorporation the Journey has conducted similar events in Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio and last year again in Texas. In 2006 we are coming back to Virginia.

As Journey participants we will be sharing our personal stories, speaking from our hearts.
As we speak from our hearts, we touch other people’s hearts.

When someone’s heart is touched they are more receptive to the idea of abolition. They are more likely to rethink their age-old stand of supporting the Death Penalty and realized they can’t support it anymore.

Ask George White, Marietta Jaeger-Lane, SueZann Bosler, Bud Welch, Juan Melendez, David Kaczynski and the rest of the people on the Journey and they will tell you it happens all the time.

We need your help. Won’t you please join us in Virginia October 13-29th and help us spread the seeds of forgiveness as a way of healing, and the seeds of compassion for all of Humanity.

With great organizations like Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation and Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights under the Journeys Spotlight, and with groups like the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Amnesty International USA’s Program to Abolish the Death Penalty, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and other State and National Coalitions walking hand in hand with us, we will make an impressive impact.

In 1996 the Virginia Journey took on VADP’s goal of ending the 21-day rule and that effort by the Journey was very successful. This year the Journey will be taking on the issue of a Moratorium on the Death Penalty in the State of Virginia.

The Journey will begin in Northern Virginia (near DC). We will spread through parts of the state and reach Richmond, the State Capital the second weekend. It is when Sister Helen Prejean joins the Journey. It is also Amnesty Internationals Faith In Action Weekend. This will be a special weekend for the Journey.

The Virginia Journey will conclude with the gathering of abolitionists for the annual NCADP Conference Oct 26-29th in Reston, VA.

Thank you,
Bill Pelke

Journey of Hope Box 2100390Anchorage, AK 99521-0390
www.journeyofhope.org 877-9-2-4GIVE (4483)

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