Spokane woman leads walk across state to end death penalty

Spokane author Victoria Ann Thorpe, and a small group of supporters, began a 185-mile “Peace Journey” across the state Tuesday night — hoping their steps will lead to the end of the death penalty in Washington.

Thorpe is hiking not only for her sister Kerry Lyn Dalton — who has been living on death row for 18 and a half years — but for all of those on “the row”, she said.

“Our society needs compassion and empathy,” she said, adding that violence isn’t the key to justice.

She’s walking (and driving some) with three volunteers from The Fellowship of Peace Foundation from Spokane to the state capital in Olympia. The trek will end Sept. 21, which is International Day of Peace and the second anniversary of the execution of Troy Davis.

Rick Schmidt, of Spokane, was one of several allies who walked with Thorpe on the first leg of the journey from Coeur’d Alene Park to Cheney.

“I believe in what she’s doing,” he said. “The more people that walk with her, the more successful she’ll be. I wanted to help her get off to a good start.”

Supporters are encouraged to join on the walk anywhere along the route (see calendar below).

Part of the walk will include a peaceful demonstration at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

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