This past Friday (Sept. 2, 2005), we parked and Beth walked over to join the main group on the Parkview side while I walked Governor (the dog) around the block the other way so as to give him a bit of exercise before he would have to just sit and be patient during the vigil. As we turned onto Maryland (the side with the guard house and more frequently used entrances), there was Jennifer Bosveld (http://www.puddinghouse.com/ ). Govy reached her first, and she turned around to greet me and tell me that Governor Taft was about to appear, as the State Police had just ordered her to move back.

I called Beth on the mobile phone and told her to bring others around from the front side - Beth and Cathy Levine came around while the others maintained the vigil on the Parkview side. Another state police car pulled up, parked on the street, and that officer stationed herself near the door to the mansion. Sure enough, within minutes a black car with darkened windows pulled up from the east (they had driven in the back way in an attempt to avoid our protest). The car pulled through the gate and up to the side door. Governor Taft stepped out on the house side and walked immediately into the portico. As soon as I realized that was him, I yelled clearly and loudly, "CLEMENCY FOR SPIRKO!" three times in a row. I am quite certain he heard and understood the message, even if he failed to acknowledge us in any way. And then we all walked back around to the front side and continued our symbolic visibility action until the appointed hour of 7pm.

Among the photos below, you will see one of Taft entering his house. He is behind the state trooper. I lightened it up a bit as he was in deep shadow at that point.

Everyone is welcome in front of Governor Taft's official residence each and every Friday night from 6 to 7pm as long as death warrants are in place. Governor Taft's house is on N. Parkview in Bexley, on the east side of Columbus.

DIRECTIONS

To find the Governor's Mansion, go east on Broad St from I-71 (downtown).
As you enter Bexley (crossing Nelson Rd and Alum Creek), you will go up a hill. The light at the top of the hill is Parkview.
Turn left (North), and it is several blocks down on the right, at the corner of Parkview and Maryland. There is typically plenty of parking - participants are asked not to park right in front of the house, as that would block the protesters!

Bring your own signs, or use the signs that are typically on hand.

See you next week!

--abe

click on photos to enlarge