Deborah Farrow’s nerves were slightly frayed Thursday afternoon aboard U.S. Airways flight 1768 to Charlotte, N.C., and again on flight 2262 to Washington D.C.
“I was nervous at first,” she said, “because it was the first time that I have been on a plane. I thought there would be turbulence. But it was a smooth ride.”
Before the plane landed in the nation’s capitol, Farrow was calm, but anxious to participate in a protest march that was developing at the U.S. Justice Department.
The march started at 10 a.m. (EST). But first, Farrow called home from her hotel room to tell her family in West Memphis, Ark., that she had made it okay. Then she ordered food and took a BC Powder, “because my head was killing me.”
The pain was manageable, she said, but it did not stop her from participating in a march that Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network had sponsored in conjunction with other civil rights groups and personalities.
More than a hundred busloads of protesters seeking redress for a recent spate of civil rights violations around the country reportedly converged at the Justice Department.
“I think there were more people there than it was when they marched in Jena (Louisiana),” said Farrow, who attended the Sept. 20 rally to support the six black teens known as the Jena Six.
The throng had traveled near and far to urge the Justice Department’s newly confirmed Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey to intervene in the Jena Six debacle and other cases of injustices.
Case in point: the shooting death of Farrow’s son, DeAunta Farrow, and the Justice Department’s recent decision that cleared West Memphis (Arkansas) police officer Sammis and fellow officer Jimmy M. Evans of violating DeAunta’s civil rights.
Sammis fatally shot DeAunta at the Steeple Chase Apartments in late June. He claimed the 12-year-old had what he thought was a real gun. The West Memphis community has since called for justice and recompense for Farrow.
When Farrow started marching around the Justice Department seven times, she did not know what to expect. She linked arms with Sharpton and the father of Mychal Bell, one of the Jena Six, and marched for DeAunta.
“When we went around for the second time, I was getting tired,” she said. “I wanted to give up. My legs and feet started hurting and I wanted to sit down. But I thought about Tae [DeAunta’s nickname]. He kept me walking.”
Farrow said a person has to be in good health to march around the Justice Department seven times. “I promised Tae that I wouldn’t give up,” she said. “With all that marching, something has to happen.”
Sharpton was duplicating the Biblical account of Joshua and his followers marching seven times around the ancient city of Jericho until the walls tumbled down.
“The Justice Department has to know that those many people who came together for a cause are serious,” said Farrow. “We didn’t march for nothing.”
Before the march began, Sharpton whipped the crowd into a feverish pitch. “The U.S. Government must intervene and protect its citizens,” he bellowed. “... Every noose that’s hung should be prosecuted by the law, and we’re going to demand that.”
Farrow stood on the platform with civil rights activist Martin Luther King lll, radio personality Tom Joyner, comedian Steve Harvey, SCLC President Dr. Charles Steele, and others.
She listened intently to Sharpton’s address, particularly when he referenced her case: “A criminal must be punished if they have on blue jeans or a blue uniform.”
Back in West Memphis, Farrow recounted her experience and took to heart the kind gestures and condolences that she received from some of the marchers.
“I was sore from all the walking,” she said. “But it was well worth it.”
