REVIEW OF EVENT:

Summary:

Wheels of Justice was a Lenten journey of faith and advocacy by students and teachers from Catholic high schools and colleges in the Diocese of Cleveland.  On this journey, 30 students and teachers bicycled 160 miles from Cleveland to Columbus over four days in order to be in solidarity with all victims of violent crime in Ohio, including those who have received the death penalty.  Along the way, the students and teachers prayed the Stations of the Cross together, and were visible and outspoken about their opposition to the Death Penalty in Ohio.  The group's journey culminated when they met 300 Catholic school students and teachers (primarily from 14 schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, but there were also those from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Fostoria) to celebrate mass together at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Columbus.  After mass, the group marched across the street to the Statehouse lawn for speeches by students and nationally recognized advocates against the Death Penalty.

Media Coverage:

• Article Featured in Columbus Dispatch (5 Apr 2006)

• Article Featured in Columbus Dispatch (11 Apr 2006)

• Story on National Public Radio affiliate WKSU (10 Apr 2006)

Photos:

• Bike Trip - from Cleveland to Columbus
• Rally - Columbus Statehouse

 

EVENT RESOURCES:

Informational links:

• PRESS RELEASE

• Statement of Purpose

• Informational Flyer - General

• Petition to End the Death Penalty in Ohio

Links for Diocese of Cleveland Schools

• Informational Flyer - Bus trip

• Tentative Bus and Bike Itinerary

Related links:

• US Catholic Conference of Bishops Campaign to End the Death Penalty

• A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death - US Catholic Conference of Bishops Statement Against the Death Penalty (2005)

• Affirming Justice and Mercy - Ohio Catholic Conference of Bishops Statement Against the Death Penalty (1996)

Acknowledgements:

• Bishop Anthony Pilla, Diocese of Cleveland
• Sister Kathleen Ryan, Commission on Catholic Community Action
• Jim Tobin, Catholic Commission of Ohio
• Father Mark Hollis and St. Francis Xavier Church, Medina, Ohio
• Father Nelson Beaver and Resurrection Church, Lexington, Ohio
• Father Jeff Rimelspach and St. Joan of Arc Church, Powell, Ohio
• Gary Beeman (Rally Speaker), a former Death Row prisoner
• David Kaczynski (Rally Speaker), brother of Ted Kaczynski
• Schneider's Bike Shop, Cleveland, Ohio
• St. Joseph Academy, Cleveland, Ohio (our point of departure)