On Sept. 10, participants in the Prison and Jail Project’s (P&JP) 11th annual Freedomwalk will begin a week-long, 100-mile “journey for justice” through four Southwest Georgia counties, calling attention to jailhouse conditions, courtroom practices and policies and law enforcement behavior in this region of the state.

This year, the Freedomwalk is working in closely with “Concerned Citizens for Truth,” a Marshallville group seeking the truth in the January death of Clarance “Clint” Walker who died while being restrained and arrested by Marshallville Police officers. Officers were trying to arrest Walker on outstanding warrants of obstruction of a law enforcement officer, simple battery and parole violation.

Each year, the Freedomwalk usually focuses attention on a significant event or figure in the black history in Southwest Georgia. There will be a rally in Butler this year to remember the 1946 lynching of Maceo Snipes and to protest the segregated plaques that hang in the Taylor County Courthouse that list the names of the county’s World War II veterans. Snipes, who was a veteran, was lynched after he dared to vote in the 1946 primary election in Taylor County. His name is currently listed on the “Colored” plaque at the Taylor County Courthouse.

“Once again we will spend a week walking the walk in Southwest Georgia, calling attention to injustice and racism in the criminal justice system,” said P&JP director John Cole Vodicka. “We will lift up not only the work of the Prison & Jail Project but also the courageous efforts of local grassroots organizations and individuals who have dared to speak out for change. And we will learn about the history of struggle in the four counties through which we’re walking this year.”

The walkers will average between 12-18 miles a day. Lunches and supper meals will be provided by area churches and community organizations.

“We expect to have between 15 and 20 people walking with us at all times throughout the week,” Vodicka explained. “We’ll have larger numbers of participants on the first and last days of the walk, and will be joined by others on the other days. In past walks we’ve had as many as 300 people participate in all or some of the journey.”

Anyone interested in participating or needing more information can call 928-2080.