It is early morning and I just finished a prayer for the group and the March. I just wanted to update you on how we are coming before I head off to join them again today. I try and walk each day with the group and come home in the evening. Sarah, Mike, Roosevelt, Lori and Cesar and all of the marcher have fire in their bellies and it is wonderful to see it come out as so much love for education.

First, it has been wonderful how people are responding to the marchers. People are coming out and walking with us for a few miles, they are bring drinks, ice cream and other snacks. They are telling us how wonderful it is what we are doing. It is a great feeling to see the love shown by total strangers. They come out and applauded the marchers, honk their horns and give a thumbs up. Also, many have promised to meet us in Sac.

Also, the local police and highway patrol have given some of our students and youth a new way of looking at law enforcement. One young man was shocked to see how supportive the police could be. The first night at the Pinole church was great, the church had a wonderful dinner prepared for the group and the next morning the minister sent us off with a wonderful prayer. As the group walked through Rodeo, there was a group having a birthday celebration at a park, one of our members in jest, asked if they could feed another hundred people, they replied "Yes" and the group was invited in to eat hot dogs, hamburgers and enjoy all the food and drinks before they continued on their pilgrimage for education.

As the group entered Vallejo, the people of the city showed us much love, another group joined us and came with drinks and other items for the group. The church was a very nice, many of the adult marchers was able to sleep on a sofa, they also served the group breakfast. We moved on the next day (Easter Sunday) and walked the miles to Marine World where we waited for cars and vans to drive the group over the hill (this was an area that was too dangerous to walk). The only down part was that the Holiday Inn across from Marine World they would not allow the group to wait for the drivers in their parking lot, in spite of the fact that many visitors applauded our efforts. We will be writing a letter to the Holiday Inn corporation and will remember their rudeness when we are planning personal vacations, along with Carl's Jr. and Baskin Robins. But the group was able to wait in an area which was public.

Each day the group holds a circle time before we begin the march, it is a wonderful time, to share feelings and bond together as a group. (Okay, for those of you who know me, yes, I am now a part of the huggie group). The students are great, great, great. They have a mission and to see the knowledge and maturity in them is to wonderful for words. We have students from WCCUSD, Oakland, and Head Royce. Each day the group size is anywhere from 50 to 100 people. Glen Price [West Contra Costa U.S.D. school board member] came yesterday to join the group for a while and it was great to have him share in the circle.

Well, so much for the up-date, I must get prepare to go. If any wishes to drop in and walk a few miles, check the March4Education.org website for where we are. If not, we will see all of you in Sac or you can join us on the last mile or two to the capitol. We have not heard from the governor's reps as of today, but I would like all of you to keep up the calls to his office, requesting that he meets with the delegation from the march. Also, the group will rally at the Solano State prison today at 12:30 and will continue walking at 1:00.

"My feet are tried, but my soul is rested."

      Scottie Smith