5/7: Walk to Governor's mansion and deliver the letter.
5/6: Day of R&R and pickup Zellner from the original Freedom Walk attempt.
5/5: Start near Pelahatchie, MS and end near Jackson, MS.
5/4: Start near Forest, MS and end near Pelahatchie, MS.
5/3: Start near Newton, MS and end near Forest, MS.
5/2: Start west of Meridian and end near Newton, MS.
5/1: Start at mile marker 4 near Cuba, AL and enter Mississippi and end west of Meridian, MS on the US-80.
4/30: Start at mile marker 34 on US-11 (near Boligee, AL) and end at mile marker 4 on US-11 (near Cuba, AL).
4/29: Start just south of Ralph, AL and end at mile marker 34 on the US-11 (34 miles to Mississippi!).
4/28: Start at Cottondale, AL and end just past Ralph, AL.
4/27: Start at the intersection of Academy Dr. and US-11 where the US-11 merges with the I-20. Because the Freedom Walkers cannot get on the I-20 they will be taking side roads until the US-11 splits. They will end somewhere inside the Tuscaloosa city limits.
4/26: Start at the McDonald's on the US-11 at 60th St just north of the Birmingham Aiport and will finish around the Hoover, Alabama area.
4/25: Start just south of Argo, Alabama on US-11. Finish close to the Birmingham City limits near the Birmingham Airport on US-11.
4/24: Start just south of Steele, Alabama on US-11 at Agan Road. Finish just south of Argo, Alabama on US-11.
4/23: Start north of Reece City, AL on US-11 where Bill Moore was slain. Finish just south of Steele, Alabama on US-11 at Agan Road.
For more information, please contact: Ellen Johnson, President (908) 276-7300
AMERICAN ATHEISTS PRESS RELEASE April 19, 2008
Thwarted 1963 Freedom Walk to be Finished 45 years later.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Johnson, 908-276-7300
My name is Ellen Johnson and on April 23, 2008 I am going on a journey to rewrite history and get some justice for the many Freedom Walkers who were prevented from delivering a letter for racial harmony in 1963.
The story began in 1963 with an Atheist named Bill Moore. He was a civil rights activist, author, marine corporal, and graduate from Johns Hopkins University. Bill was a member of CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality and SNCC the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. In 1962 the governor of Mississippi, Ross Barnett refused to allow James Meredith, a black man, to attend the University of Mississippi. It was then that Bill Moore decided to try, in his own small way to bring racial harmony to our nation. He wanted to see his home state of Mississippi do the right thing towards blacks. He decided that he was going to hand deliver a letter to Governor Barnett asking him to reconsider his position on segregation. He was going to carry the letter from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi. It was a freedom walk.
The letter read:
Dear Governor Barnett:
I have always had a warm place in my heart for Mississippi, the land of my childhood and my ancestors. I dislike the reputation this state has acquired as being the most backward and most bigoted in the land. Those who truly love Mississippi must work to change this image.
Frankly, I do not know which is worse - to be raised to believe that one should be happy to live in poverty and die twice as fast as the white man and to be told to reject the ideas of those who tell you democracy means the right to vote whatever the color of one's skin; or is it worse to be raised as members of a sort of 'master race' which fights a losing battle to preserve injustice with barbaric laws and police state methods.
The British were wise in that they dissolved their empire before they were forced to do so. Consequently, the governments of countries such as India and Nigeria are stable and friendly and democratic. The French, on the other hand, held onto their empire as long as they could. Thus the bitter strife in Laos, Vietnam, Algeria.
The end of Mississippi colonialism is fast approaching. The only question is whether you will help it to end in a friendship like the British, or try to hold onto what is already lost, creating bitterness and hatred, as did the French. For our sake, as well as the Negro's, I hope you will decide to try the British way.
The white man cannot be truly free himself until all men have their rights. Each is dependent upon the other. Do not go down in infamy as one who fought democracy for all, which you have not the power to prevent.
Be gracious. Give more than is immediately demanded of you. Make certain that when the Negro gets his rights and his vote that he does not in the process learn to treat the white man with the contempt and disdain that, unfortunately, some of us now treat him.
Sincerely, William L. Moore
Bill Moore used his two-week vacation from his job as a postal worker in Baltimore, Maryland and began his walk. He planned to walk 40 miles a day for ten days.
He made a sandwich board sign for the walk - in the home of Madalyn O'Hair, who he supported in her Supreme Court case in 1963 called Murray v. Curlett. The front of the sign read: End Segregation In America. Eat At Joe's - Both Black and White. The back read: Equal Rights For All (Mississippi or Bust).
Bill began his walk from Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 21, 1963.
Along the way, he was greeted by both friend and foe. Two days later on April 23, a motorist found Moore's body. He had been shot twice in the head at close range with a .22 caliber rifle. The gun's ownership was traced to Floyd Simpson, whom Moore had argued with earlier that day. Simpson was never indicted. Bill Moore was murdered because of his Atheism and his politics.
A week later ten more Freedom Walkers, both black and white, attempted to finish Bill's walk. They never made it. They were stopped at the border of Alabama and they were beaten and jailed. They languished in jail for months. They were sentenced to death and fed muffins with crushed glass inside.
Four other attempts, involving hundreds of people were made and all were thwarted by the segregationists in Alabama and Mississippi. On August 3, 1963, the fifth and final attempt was made to complete Bill Moore's walk from Gadsden, Alabama. Six hundred and eighty-two people were arrested attempting to finish the walk of a man they never even knew.
Forty-five years later it is time to deliver that letter.
Bill Moore did not die in vain. The Freedom Walkers (Sam Shirah, Winston Lockett, Bill Haley, Zev Aelony, Chico Neblett, Bill Hansen, Bob Zellner, Eric Weinberger and Robert Gore to name few) attempts to deliver the letter and their subsequent punishments must not have been in vain.
On April 23 I will be in Attalla, Alabama where Bill Moore was murdered and I'm going to finish his walk and deliver his letter to the governor of Mississippi. Then the history books will show that the Freedom Walkers were not defeated and that the letter was delivered. It may have been delivered 45 years later, but it was delivered.
Thank-you, Ellen Johnson, President American Atheists 908-276-7300
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. American Atheists, Inc. P. O. Box 5733 Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733 Tel.: (908) 276-7300 Fax: (908) 276-7402
If you live along the route, then wait for the walkers and give them some moral support! You can even walk a mile or two with them, or arrange transportation and walk the entire day with them (Freedom Walkers cannot bring you back to your car because of the time limitations they have - walkers that join them are responsible for their own transportation). If you see them, you can make a cash donation to help pay for water, food, lodging, and gas for the chase car during the trip. If you cannot get to the Freedom Walkers on the road but would like to make a donation, please contact Blair Scott for details.
Spread the word about the Freedom Walk! Let people know what is going on and the progress the walkers are making. Tell others about the story of Bill Moore. Talk about civil rights and equality for all and live the concept.
07MAY08: "Tom and Susan met us at the hotel this morning, we then went to get Bob Zellner. While waiting I gave out a few more letters. We all walked to the Governor's office a few blocks away and were met there by a news crew from WAPT, the ABC affiliate in Jackson (http://www.wapt.com). We were told that the Governor would not meet us as he had scheduling conflicts (Ellen had told him about this at least 8 weeks ago) and had been in constant contact during our walk. We were greatly disappointed, but not surprised. I just saw a preview for the news and it looks to be favorable. Ellen says she will nominate Gov. Barbour as Keith Oberman's "worst person of the week." I Look forward to seeing you all soon." - Ken
05MAY08: "We started today just East of Brandon, MS with 22 miles to go. It was a great day on a few levels: the weather was awesome, maybe 75 degrees and partly cloudy, we met a few nice people along the way, with enough Motrin I was almost pain free and felt good and could've made a few more miles if needed to, but it wasn't needed... WE ARRIVED AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING AT 6:10 PM... We will pick Bob Zellner up at the airport tonight and deliver the letter tomorrow. We hope the Governor will see us, we're still not sure he will. I will leave Jackson Wednesday morning after taking Ellen to the airport, then I'll return the car to Huntsville and hope to be back home by Monday. Again, we can't thank all of you enough: your support kept us going. I look forward to seeing everyone involved both in Huntsville and back home in Broward County. You are all heroes to me. I want to thank Ellen Johnson for introducing me to the story of William L. Moore and the 1963 Freedom Walkers. I feel great about what we have done and hope to make more people aware of what these great men have selflessly done for us and the sacrifices they have made in the name of equality." - Ken
04MAY08: "We had breakfast and then said our goodbyes to Susan and Tom: leaving Forest, MS. The temperature was nice at around 70 degrees. It was for the most part an uneventful day other than walking. This section was through a national forest which was nice with the exception of the stench of carrion for almost the entire walk. We made it almost to the town of Brandon, MS. and that leaves us 21 miles to the capitol building. We plan to stop at the hotel that Bob Zellner is staying at, then Tuesday we will meet him and the 3 of us will make the short walk to the Governor's office. I am looking forward to meeting Bob and hearing his stories. I suggested in jest to Ellen that tomorrow we should wear signs saying "the end is near:"we had a good laugh. When I got to the room, the camera was out of battery again, so I will charge it and send pics tomorrow." - Ken
03MAY08: "Today we were joined by Susan Scott and Tom Easley from the North Alabama Freethought Association. We started at Newton, MS and walked back to our hotel in Forest, MS where the US-80 and SR-35 intersect (22 miles total). Tom did great walking 18 miles before a blister got the best of him. Today was friendly dog day: we watched a black lab find a a water hole to lay in and cool off. Three more very cute puppies greeted Tom and I, but they followed us onto the road. Ellen and Susan had to play fetch with them as Tom and I snuck away. A special thanks to Tom and Susan for bringing us some spirits of a good kind, since we are in the twilight zone (dry county). We are 46 miles, 2 days and a wake up from our destination. Dr. Zellner (original freedom walker) confirmed and will meet us in Jackson. This has been a wonderful experience for me so far and all of your support along the way has been so important to both Ellen and myself. Thank you everyone." - Ken
02MAY08: "We started in West Meridian today and made it to Newton, Ms. Our hotel is 22 miles west of that in a town called Forest, Ms...in a DRY COUNTY (I didn't think they still existed). When we arrived at the hotel, 2 nicely dressed black men were talking to us, we explained what we were doing and they seemed impressed, then they said "you look tired or we would invite you to our revival"... LOL, I told them thanks, but we're both atheist. I saw the first live snake today, I tried to catch it but he was too fast... I thought I heard him say "eat more apples." The road is actually nice except there must've been something on the interstate that diverted all the traffic to US-80." - Ken
01MAY08: "We started this morning at mile marker 6, just north of Cuba, AL and made it through Meridian, MS. I'm glad we pushed ourselves the last few days. We have to get Bart to the airport and will lose a few hours doing so, but I am grateful for his miles and company. We are still on schedule. A blister on my little toe advanced despite the moleskin and all the skin came off: looks worse than it feels. Finally, someone stopped ME to see if I was OK: I was developing a complex. The route reminded me of home passing through Cuba, the last city in AL. The first town in MS is Lauderdale. I filled the tub with ice and soaked in it for as long as I could stand it and then 2 more minutes. If anyone could hear me sliding into the cold water they must've thought I was filming a loud porn movie with all the groaning. Well, I'm sore and hungry as I finish a nice cold Corona (thanks again Bart)." - Ken
30APR08: "Today we stopped at mile marker 6, just before Cuba, AL. It's still hot: not a cloud in the sky, but the humidity was only 45%. People are very nice and still stopping Ellen to see if she's OK. Today we were pulled over by a very polite highway patrolman. He was very thorough and instead of accepting my story, he talked to Ellen and ran our DL's. We gave him a letter. Bart is a walking machine doing 22-23 miles himself and with Ellen while I drove. My sun-blistered face and sore legs greatly appreciated that. Now we all are sore. I talked with a gentleman that remembered the freedom walk and rides and after hearing what we were doing he shook my hand, thanked us and wished us a good walk... again reinforcing our idea that this is a positive adventure. We will enter Mississippi early tomorrow, hoping to make it to Meridian, MS by the end of the day. " - Ken
29APR08: "One week down... today we made it to mile marker 34. Bart Meltzer joined us for a few days and the fresh set of legs is welcomed. More dogs today... fortunately they were little dogs (4) and all I had to do was turn around, lunge at them and growl and they all ran away. We passed a cow pasture and a lot of them came to the fence to greet Ellen, she showed them Bill's letter, I figured it was easier than talking with bigots...LOL (It's on video that I'll do when I get home). Ellen is doing great and has a great attitude, we both think we are doing something worthwhile. We love all the support and emails, Keep them coming please. We hope to be crossing into Mississippi midday Thursday." - Ken
28APR08: "Today we started in Cottondale, and then hit a rural area... very rural. We stopped for lunch at a BBQ place in the middle of nowhere, we thought it was a mirage as there were no other buildings for miles in either direction. The BBQ was very good. There was a very friendly guard Chihuahua that was so ugly he was cute. Then a few miles down the road I was chased across the road by a Rottweiler and a mile later by two other dogs. We made it to mile marker 62, near Ralph, Alabama. We should hit the Mississippi state line in 2 1/2 to 3 days. We have been giving copies of Bill's letter to anyone that seemed to take notice of us and stopped to have 100 more copies made. I wish the the people in 1963 were as nice as they are today. I'm sure there are still strong bigots here, but we haven't seen any yet and hope we don't. We picked Bart up at the airport this evening and he is going to join us for the next three days. Well off to ice the knee and ankle..I'll write again tomorrow evening." - Ken
27APR08: "Today was hazy, hot and humid. We walked in an area with few houses. It was long stretches of woods. It was quiet. Unlike yesterday, we could hear the birds and the crickets. There were few cars so we didn't have to move on and off the road all the time. The side of the road has a nice flat area to walk on. I'm sorry you didn't have that yesterday. Many, many people kept stopping to see if we were stranded. I started telling them that I was training for a marathon walk and Ken was my coach. It was the easiest way to let them know that I wasn't in trouble because people were stopping in the road to see if I needed help. So much for the fear that we were going to be hated and attacked. Their kindness and concern for us is heartwarming. They pull up ahead of us and wait by the side of the road. They walk over to me when we pass a gas station. A cop stopped by me as well. We put a couple of signs in the back windows telling people we were okay and on a Freedom Walk. We did almost 22 miles at 3:00 when I stopped at gas station for coffee. When I walked out it started to pour. We called it quits. We have come 100 miles and we feel so good about that. Back on the road bright and early tomorrow." - Ellen Johnson
27APR08: "Wow... we kicked butt today and made it to the suburbs (if you can call it that) of Tuscaloosa, AL. We also passed the 100 mile mark. We got an early start and it was all rural with a path (like a dirt trail) along the road which is definitely to my liking. I lost count of exactly how many miles we did today, but it was more than 20. Our goal is to be in Jackson, MS on the 7th of May and we are right on schedule. Our plan is to meet two of the original surviving "Freedom Walkers" Winston Lockett and Bob Zellner (thanks to Penn Jillette) at the Governor's mansion, give them the original letter, and let them hand it over to the Governor of Mississippi. Even though it took 45 years... the racists will not have won. Nothing really notable happened except walking. People are pretty friendly and many stopped Ellen to see if she was OK and if I was bothering her. I never get asked if she's bothering me! Anyhow, all is going well." - Ken
26APR08: "For the day we had Ellen, Ken, Venkat, Blair, Yvonne, Rose, Rachael, and Kenny as walkers. We started down the US-11 and made it into downtown Birmingham without incident. We made a detour to the Civil Rights Institute, where Ellen presented an original copy of Bill Moore's letter to the Vice President of Publications and Special Interests, Ms. Angela Fisher Hall. The CRI was pleased to receive the letter and we took a tour when we were done. We departed the CRI and continued through downtown Birmingham into Midfield and Bessemer. The walk was tough, but the weather was on our side. We thought it was going to rain, but instead we got no direct sun and a nice breeze. It was still hot, but nothing like the heat of Day 1 and Day 3. A police officer pulled over and talked to Ken about the walk, but it was just curiosity. Several people stopped and asked if Ellen was okay or needed anything. It got a teeny bit hilly toward the end, but they kept on walking. Hats off and super Kudos to Kenny White and my daughter Rose Scott for walking the ENTIRE 20 miles. I'm so proud of her! They finished their 20 miles where the US-11 joins the I-20. For Day 4 I walked about 6 miles and I am feeling it today. My left foot is seriously hurting on the arch and I have a massive blister on the front part of my foot. I was chaffed so bad that I was bleeding and did not know it. It's all worth it though!" - Blair
26APR08: Today we made it all the way through Birmingham. We started off with 6 walkers (besides Ellen and myself). There was Kenny Wright from the Birmingham Atheists Meetup, Venkat Raghavan, Blair Scott and his wife Yvonne and their twin daughters Rose and Rachael, all from Huntsville, AL. We did 20 miles today with a stop at the Civil Rights Institute and presented them with an original letter from Bill Moore, they were very pleased with our endeavor. We also found displays with Bill Moore and Bill Peck (both Atheists involved in the freedom walk). We gave a few letters along the way. We stopped at Bessemer, AL for the night: tired and sore but eager to deliver the letter. It was hot and overcast with the rain starting not long after we hit our 20 mile mark.
25APR08: "Hello, another 21 miles today, we just entered into Birmingham, Ala. This morning apparently someone called the police after seeing me "chase" Ellen with the car, it was great to see people looking out for us whether they know what we're doing or not. It was pretty hot today and a good portion was tough to walk because of an uneven easement... but we managed. As we hit civilization I found a Starbucks...YEAH! I had a quad espresso and a frap for Ellen, the bill...$6.66...how apt. Toward the end of the walk we had a great moral boost... Malina, Donte (age 10) and Tayva (age 6) pulled up alongside us as I was walking: showing their support. Things like this will make the walk easier to handle." - Ken Loukinen
24APR08: "Today we walked 23 miles and made it through the town of Argo, Alabama. It was a bit cooler today. The newspaper seemed to help as we has a few "thumbs up" from some passerbys, and it looked to me like one finger, yes that one. We gave out a few more letters to people that seemed happy of what we were doing. Ellen let me read some original newspaper clipping from 1963 that was given to her by Bill's wife, it was hard for me to read without tearing up, especially a part about a black man that called her from Detroit, crying and saying " a white man died for me, a white man" (I had to "go to the restroom so as to not look like a sissy). I will read all of the articles (and there are a lot). Ellen posted some photos from them on the American Atheists web site. If you get a chance to look at them, they are very emotional. Well, I'm off to ice my knees and get ready for another day, I hope to arrive in Birmingham midday Saturday. Hope all is well and see you soon." - Ken Loukinen
23APR08: "The reporter from Gadsden knew a lot about this story, and knew the exact spot where Moore's body was found. I took a ride for about 30 minutes only because I got jealous of seeing Mark in the car with Ellen, and so when he got out to walk, I took a turn in the car with her to have a little conversation time with her, which was great. Mark and I were talking about the small numbers - and I guess it looks a little pathetic (to folks who might criticize) to see our small troupe of atheists out on the road - but really - if there had been a large group, there's no way you could have done this kind of thing safely. Keeping this to small numbers, with auto chase, is about the only way to do it. Besides, Ken was really power walking - I had all I could do to keep up without jogging - and I did jog out the last half mile or so." - Kelly McCauley
23APR08: "We had an awesome time and I wish I could walk the entire route. I have blisters on both feet and lost feeling in my feet for a bit after walking through Attalla and had to call it quits for the day. I walked about 5 miles total. Kelly ended up doing the most because not only did he walk 21 miles, but ran 2.5 miles before that (and jogged the last 1/4 mile)! Ken and Ellen are basically on their own at this point unless people can join them along the way, even if only for a mile or two. If you can't join them, you can always find out where they're at and wave them on as they walk by. It is my intention to head down there to walk with them some more through downtown Birmingham. If anyone want to join me, please let me know." - Blair Scott
Day 12: Ellen Johnson checks out the scenery along the way to Jackson, MS.
Day 12: Ken Loukenin holds a magnolia in the Magnolia State.
Day 12: Ellen keeps on walking through Mississippi.
Day 12: Ken & Ellen arrive in Jackson at the Capitol Building at 6:10 PM. Day 13 will be R&R and to pick up one of the original Freedom Walkers. Day 15 they will attempt to deliver the letter to the Governor of Mississippi.
Day 11: Tom Easley (NAFA), Susan Scott (NAFA), and Ellen Johnson display copies of Bill Moore's letter. Ken Loukinen stands by ready to start walking.
Day 11: Tom, Susan, and Ellen enjoy the scenery between Newton and Forest, MS.
Day 11: Entering Bienville National Forest.
Day 11: Ellen completed the 22 miles for the day with letter in hand in Forest, MS.
Day 10: Ellen Johnson holds a copy of the letter to be delivered to the MS Governor as she walks from Meridian to Newton, MS.
Day 10: Ken Loukinen can't decide if he wants to stop at Karen's Beauty Care or the Primitive Baptist Church. Beauty Care Ken... definitely Beauty Care. ;-)
Day 10: Ellen realizes one of the drawbacks to walking next to horses and cows... you can't close the windows. Phew!
Day 10: Welcome to Newton, MS! Almost there Ken & Ellen! Keep up the great work... we're proud of you!
Day 9: Ken Loukinen says goodbye to the last city in Alabama.
Day 9: Passing a cemetary with lots of confederate flags and only a few US flags.
Day 9: Ken makes friends with the locals.
Day 8: Bart Meltzer checks out the local church scene in Livingston, AL.
Day 8: Bart with only 12 miles to go until Mississippi.
Day 8: Bart and Ellen Johnson get closer to Mississippi.
Day 8: Ellen makes it to the end of the day with 4 miles until the Mississippi state line.
Day 7: Bart Meltzer joins in the walk for three more days as they pass Ralph, AL and stop at mile marker 34 on the US-11.
Day 6: Ellen Johnson past Tuscaloosa, AL.
Day 6: Ken Loukinen passing mile marker 62 on the US-11.
Day 5: Ellen Johnson enters the city of Vance, AL.
Day 5: The library in Vance, AL is only open two days each week and only two hours each day. Is your library only open four hours each week?
Day 5: Ellen & Ken Loukinen with only 92 miles until the Mississippi state line.
Day 5: Ken enters the Tuscaloosa, AL city limits.
Day 4: Blair Scott, Yvonne Scott, Venkat Raghavan, Rachael Scott, Kenny White, Rose Scott, Ellen Johnson, and Ken Loukinen meet at US-11 and 60th ready to begin Day 4 into downtown Birmingham, AL.
Day 4: Venkat, Kenny, Rose, Rachael, Ellen, and Ken make last minute preps.
Day 4: Ellen, Blair, Rose, and Rachael start entering downtown Birmingham.
Day 4: Venkat & Kenny entering Birmingham.
Day 4: Getting closer to downtown Birmingham, AL.
Day 4: Blair & Ellen pass a church that looks abandoned. Ken passes in the chase car.
Day 4: Rachael keeps on walking.
Day 4: Blair, Ellen & Rachael lead on and Venkat & Kenny are not far behind.
Day 4: Ellen, Rose, and Blair.
Day 4: Kenny, Venkat, & Rachael.
Day 4: Rose, Venkat, Kenny, Blair, & Ellen can now see downtown.
Day 4: Ellen (way up there) followed by Kenny, Blair & Rose with Rachael & Venkat behind. Crossing the bridge into downtown Birmingham, AL.
Day 4: We know we're downtown when the parking meters show up.
Day 4: Racial harmony mural in Birmingham.
Day 4: Last part of the Birmingham Pledge mural that inspired the walkers.
Day 4: Rose, Kenny & Venkat.
Day 4: Venkat, Yvonne & Rachael wait for tickets to the Civil Rights Institute.
Day 4: Ellen & Ken present an original Bill Moore letter to Ms. Angela Fisher Hall, the Vice President of Publications and Special Interests at the Civil Rights Institute.
Day 4: Blair, Ellen, Rose, Yvonne, Ms. Hall, Rachael, Ken, Venkat & Kenny at the Civil Rights Institute.
Day 4: In front of the Civil Rights Institute.
Day 4: Park across the street from the CRI.
Day 4: Kenny & Yvonne after going under the I-65 south on US-11.
Day 4: Rose, Venkat & Ken keep heading south after passing the I-65.
Day 4: Ken, Rose, Venkat, & Kenny leaving Birmingham, Al.
Day 4: Breaking for lunch at Popeye's in Midfield, AL.
Day 4: Passing through Midfield, AL.
Day 4: Rose, Kenny, Venkat & Ellen entering Bessemer, AL.
Day 4: Ken, Rachael, Rose & Kenny go through Bessemer, AL.
Day 4: Rose with a balloon donated by a car salesman just outside Midfield, walks through Bessemer.
Day 4: Yvonne takes a break as the walkers get sweet tea from McDonald's.
Day 4: Ken comes back from a well-deserved break in McDonald's.
Day 4: Rather strange car wash (no longer open) in Bessemer, AL only four miles from the finish.
Day 4: Ken opens a bottle of Motrin, knowing it will not be the last Motrin he takes on this walk.
Day 3: Ken Loukinen and Ellen Johnson arrive in Birmingham, Alabama.
Day 3: Ken keeps on walking through Birmingham, Alabama.
Day 3: Ellen and Ken are greeted along the way by a sign held by Donte and Tayva.
Day 3: Ken, Ellen, Donte, Malina, and Tayva in Birmingham, Alabama.
Day 2: Ken Loukinen walking between Steele and Argo, Alabama.
Day 2: The miles keep getting lower... always a good sign!
Day 2: Ellen Johnson walking through downtown Argo, Alabama.
Day 2: Ellen Johnson finishing up the last of the 22 miles just south of Argo, Alabama.
Day 1: Ken Loukinen is ready to go and shows everyone his T-shirt for the walk.
Day 1: Ken lets everyone see the back of his T-shirt: Mississippi or Bust!
Day 1: Ellen Johnson shows everyone her shirt.
Day 1: The back of Ellen's shirt.
Day 1: Blair Scott goofs around, "We can get there faster if we hitch!"
Day 1: Waiting for the Gadsden Times are Yvonne Scott, Mark Marek, Ellen Johnson, and Bart Meltzer.
Day 1: Kelly McCauley joins the walkers by jogging from his car.
Day 1: Ellen is interviewed by a reporter from the Gadsden Times.
Day 1: Kelly, Mark, Ellen, and Bart hit the road from the exact location where Bill Moore was slain.
Day 1: Heading south on US-11 toward Reece City, Alabama.
Day 1: Heading under the I-59 just north of Reece City, Alabama.
Day 1: If only Bill Moore had made it this far and all the way to Jackson, MS.
Day 1: Entering Reece City, Alabama.
Day 1: The walkers are just dots on the top of the hill as the miles start to add up.
Day 1: Blair Scott keeps an eye on Ken, Bart, and Kelly through his rear-view mirror.
Day 1: Bart, Kelly, and Ken keep on walking into Reece City, Alabama.
Day 1: Only 196 miles to go until the Mississippi state line.
Day 1: Blair & Mark begin entering downtown Attalla, Alabama.
Day 1: Kelly, Mark, Ellen, Blair, and Bart in downtown Attalla, Alabama.
Day 1: Blair, Kelly, Bart, and Ellen through downtown Attalla, Alabama.
Day 1: Blair, Mark, Ellen, Bart, and Kelly with only 192 miles until the Mississippi state line as they go through downtown Attalla, Alabama.
Day 1: The terrain starts to get a bit hilly as the walkers hit the 'burbs of Attalla, Alabama.
Day 1: The miles tick by one-by-one as the walkers continue.
Day 1: Ken entering Steele, Alabama. The walkers will reach 22 miles just south of Steele.
Day 1: Kelly begins jogging the last 1/4 mile while Bart & Ken finish the walk just south of Steele, Alabama.
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