John Runnings – "THE WALL WALKER"
This is described in letters to Louise in "Facing Down the Military".
Dr. Rainer Hidebrandt, curator of
Chekpoint Charlie Museum.
(He was a great help to John.)
(John's "Battering Ram" is on display at Checkpoint Charlie Museum)
This picture says it all!
Does anyone see themselves on the wall?
This picture was taken looking West along the "Wall". Most of the dividing line is hidden in front of John. The infamous "white dividing line" that John took upon himself to paint out with black paint and move the line over a few feet. This action, much to the chagrin of the guards.
The wall is set back 12 feet from the line, so that the foot traffic you see is on East German property. The "X" on the wall is where John staged the "National Pee-In" in 1986. This first action against the "Wall" is described in letters to his wife, Louise, in John's book "FACING DOWN THE MILITARY". This was the first book of John's that I read. I found it to be very informative and especially amusing. I love the man's sense of humor.
The video "Something to do with the Wall" distributed by "First Run Features" in New York, shows him painting out the line and the police trying to stop him.
"Facing Down the Military" and other books of John's, can be downloaded from the home page. Readers of his letters to Louise, in book form, will appreciate his sense of humor and his observations on situations as they arose.
Holding the microphone is Marilyn Lavine with her husband Ross McElewee toting the camera. They came to Berlin in 1986 & 1990 to make the very successful video "Something to do with the Wall" distributed by "First Run Features" in New York. John was featured several times in thier video and I hope to have clips available for viewing soon. It is a wonderful video in its entirety!
John Runnings, holding an artist's rendering of a newspaper clipping of him up on the wall being observed by the locals and possibly even some tourists. Does anyone out there lay claim to having been there and witnessing this event? Contact me, please.
John, protesting in Seattle.