On the Trail of Local Stories
Claiming Justice
A walking trail through downtown Santa Rosa, California which honors fourteen local activists.
Locations of all twelve markers for Claiming Justice: On the Trail of Local Stories.
How it works
You can use the map above to find the locations of the twelve markers.
Each marker is located flat on the side walk.
The markers all have QR codes.
Point the camera on your smart phone at the QR code, as if you were taking a picture. Your smart phone will then open a web page with information about the person on the marker.
At the top of that web page is an audio file. With your phone’s earbuds, you can listen to the story of this person’s life while you walk.
There are also written biographies in English and Spanish.
About the project
Claiming Justice: On the Trail of Local Stories was conceived, created and executed by artist Kristen Throop. It is a collaborative project based on a year of research, 80 conversations (28 interviews) and eight pounds of notes. It has involved — research, tracking people down, careful listening, background reading, portraiture, crafting compelling and accurate narratives, recording then editing audio, web design, button manufacturing and public speaking.
The project has been guided by a determination to tell a deep and honest story about place and community.
Claiming Justice honors the work of 14 local activists. Their biographies provide an overview and context for their achievements. Their combined biographies paint a nuanced portrait of our community.
It’s Throop’s hope, that the walking trail will bring people together in communal space to learn more about the unique place that we live.
If the way you think about this community has changed once you have listened to these stories, then the project will have been a success.
More about the project
“More than 100 people turned out Sunday afternoon at the downtown Central Santa Rosa Library for a launch of a new public art project honoring local activists both past and present.”
Press Democrat article by Dan Taylor,
October 29, 2023.
Activists honored with Santa Rosa downtown art path“Claiming Justice” honors activists who have fought discrimination.
Photo by Jeff Kan Lee.
Thank you to
Santa Rosa Public Art Program/Economic Development:
Jessica Rasmussen, for her unfailing support and ingenuity
Tara Thompson, especially for Spanish translation for the project
Raissa De La Rosa
With gratitude for their sponsorship of this project
Creative Sonoma, past and present:
For bravely creating the ArtSurround program, providing the opportunity for 25 local artists to paid for their work, myself included
Kristen Madsen
Samantha Kimpel
Bernadette Marko
Debbie Yarrow
The Multicultural Roots Project:
Danielle Garduno
Daniel Chapparo
Their valuable research was essential
Santa Rosa Public Library
and the History and Genealogy Library
With special thanks to Jessica Romero, Joanna Kolosov, Bridget Hayes, Ray Holley and everyone else who patiently answered my questions
Rodney Fierce and his class at Sonoma Academy
studying Black America: Reconstruction to Civil Rights, particularly Charlie, Dohna, Joel and Ally for their assistance researching Richards, and to Sonoma Academy for sponsoring his marker
The Press Democrat
Ayrija Child, Allison Gibson, Chad Surmick
For assistance tracking historic photographs
and Dan Taylor for his reporting
Sonoma State University Library
Julie Dinkins and Hilary Smith
For help trying to track a historic photo
KRCB Radio 104.9 FM
and Doug Jayne, Midday Music
The interviewees:
Dinah Bachrach
Michael Bogan
Cathy Burgett
Laura Doty
Bernice Espinoza
Magi Fedorka
Aubrey Gray
Jim Gray
Bill Gray
Zeke Guzman
Larry Harper
Rick and Marna Hill
Lina Hoshino
Henry Kaku
David Katz
Lake Kowell
Reta Lockhart
Evette Minor
Philip Nakano
Nikki Omi
Erica Parker Alabi
Susan Shaw
Jim Sullivan
Jerry Threet
Charlie Toledo
Anthony Tusler
Joan Vilms
Dennis Williams
With appreciation for their help:
Phyllis Beals
Sonia Betts, for event assistance
Julian Billotte and Anna Wizarde, ArtSurround compatriots
Meira Bowcut, Commission on Human Rights
Melanie Carter Jones, for networking and vegetables
Marcus Clarke, for assistance with photos
Alisse Cottle, Brew
Kim Daly, for installation and event assistance
Alegría De La Cruz
Joy Dellas, for the loan of the button maker
Sue Dougherty, Stories That Matter
Rachel DuFour, for believing it would get done
Tina Dungan, LGBTQI+ Legacy Sonoma County
Jeff Elliot, santarosahistory.com
Anne Fitzgerald, for networking assistance
Claire Hall, for guidance on reporting
Elliot Kallen, for insight and kindness
Carol Kawase, NCWNP JACL District Governor
Kaylin Noblin, for creative advice
Michelle Kretchmer, for the Kretchmer caveat
Helga Lemke
Charlie Leys, for event assistance
Ellen Maremont Silver and Robyn Bramhall, for hot meals, networking and enthusiasm
Mark Thomas Home
Dalia Martinez, owner of the Naked Pig
Alina Nuebel, for laughter, artistic camaraderie and documentation
Keith Newsome, DDI Signs
Deependra Rai, Clone Digital, for his help replacing the stolen marker at the library
Riley Street Art Supply
Bill Shelley, for critique and advice on process
Bob Stender, Tibidabo Photography
Collin Thoma, Disability Services and Legal Center
Talatala Manasa Waqanicagica, Senior Pastor at City Harvest Center
Anabelle Wasserman, for strategic advice
Lisa Yoshida, attorney at law, Anderson Ziegler
