------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 02:23:36 -0800 (PST) From: Anti-Prohibition Lg <aal@inetarena.com> Subject: PORTLAND, OREGON: DRUG WAR VIGIL/PROTESTS BEGIN
*** *** *** The AMERICAN ANTI-PROHIBITION ***** ***** *** LEAGUE *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Sponsors of the *********** *********** *** OREGON DRUGS CONTROL AMENDMENT ************* ************* ************ http://ns2.calyx.net/~odca *** *** *** *** ************ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Drug War, or : 3125 SE BELMONT STREET PORTLAND OREGON 97214 USA Drug Peace?" : 503-235-4524/fax:503-234-1330/Email:AAL@InetArena.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLEASE REPOST AND SPREAD THE WORD, THANK YOU.
Monday, November 3, 1997
1) PORTLAND JUSTICE CENTER VIGIL, STARTS 8A.M. MONDAY 11/3 AND WILL NOT END UNTIL DIANE DENSMORE IS RELEASED FROM JAIL, OR THE POLICE CARRY US AWAY. THIS EVENT WILL BE VIDEO TAPED. PLEASE COME BY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, ADD FLOWERS TO AN ALTER THAT WILL BE DEDICATED TO ALL THE VICTIMS OF THIS INSANE DRUG WAR, EVERYWHERE. THE JUSTICE CENTER IS LOCATED AT 1120 SW 3RD, DOWNTOWN PORTLAND, OREGON.
2) NOON/LUNCH TIME "DRUG PEACE!" SPEAK-OUT ON THE JUSTICE CENTER STEPS. IF YOU WORK DOWNTOWN PLEASE COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, SPEAK-OUT!
3) REQUESTS FOR CALLS TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL SCHRUNK, MAYOR KATZ, AND MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO:
A) DEMAND RELEASE AND DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST DIANE DENSMORE, PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE IF NEEDED.
B) IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF POLICE AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION PRIORITIES.
C) IMMEDIATE ELIMINATION OF THE MARIJUANA TASK FORCE
D) MAKE ADULT CANNABIS PROHIBITION LOWEST ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY.
E) AUTHORIZE A STUDY OF THE LEAGUE'S 'HARM REDUCTION ZONE' CONCEPT TO TREAT HARD DRUGS ADDICTION AND REDUCE CRIME AND VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS.
PLEASE CALL THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEMAND THE ABOVE ACTIONS
COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEVERLY STEIN: 503-248-3308 (term ends: 1/99) MULTNOMAH COUNTY DA MICHAEL SCHRUNK: 503-248-3162 (1/01) MAYOR VERA KATZ: 503-823-4120 (1/01)
PLEASE REPOST AND SPREAD THE WORD, THANK YOU.
***
Portland's drug war shame; human rights abuse in the Rose City
Portland, Oregon -- In what amounts to a crass disregard for human rights, local police and elected officials have ignored the community's pleas for compassion for the seriously ill Diane R. Densmore. With no medical care at all that we know of, Densmore has been kept in the downtown Justice Center jail since last Wednesday, even though she was supposed to be released after her arraignment on Thursday. Meanwhile real criminals have no doubt been released to ensure space for this harmless, yet politically troublesome prisoner. So upset that Densmore was going to walk, local drug war zealot and Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney, Thomas Smith-Cupani, did an end-run around the courts to file additional charges forcing her back into jail until at least Monday. Simply put Densmore has been found guilty by the District Attorney's office and is now being punished without due process. Densmore is the director of the well known Alternative Health Center which provides cannabis to the sick and dying, similar to legal clinics now operating in several cities in California. Recent studies have confirmed that cannabis aids in fighting pain (see last Monday's Oregonian). Over the last few months at the AHC, several undercover Portland police from the vice squad's infamous Marijuana Task Force presented a letter from a doctor establishing a medical need. According to Densmore, "In each case the letter was verified with the doctor who signed it." Later it was learned this doctor was working with the MTF crew all along. (We don't know his/her name, but perhaps it's listed in the Hypes/Wylie "little black books." Remember them? DA Peters?) On this basis the pot cops purchased cannabis several times to build as big a case as possible. Meanwhile, the AHC has been providing cannabis to over 150 verified "clients" with conditions that range from anorexia to cancer to late stage AIDS. To many of these clients, the AHC is not only a source of medicine, it represents a chance to socialize and be part of a healing community. At the AHC no one is outcast for their illness, not even the "sick" cops and DA who try to destroy it. Which, of course, they can not. "This tragic irony can't be missed," said Floyd Landrath, director of the Portland based American Antiprohibition League, "here in Oregon polls indicate we are about to re-affirm 'death with dignity,' but people like Diane Densmore who benefit from cannabis, (or other so- called controlled substances), are going to jail and being forced out on to the streets to find a little relief from their pain and suffering. Something is very wrong here, Densmore should be treated as a hero, not a criminal. I fear we are becoming a drug war police state," Landrath lamented. *** OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE THIS WEEK
Tuesday, 7:30p.m. League's weekly "Organize to Legalize" meeting at the Phantom Gallery, 3125 SE Belmont Street (bus #15).
Wednesday, 10a.m. Portland City Council meeting, Silent Drug War Protesters will begin attending these meetings with arm-bands to signify their opposition to this insane drug war. Call the League office to request an arm-band. (Council meetings are currently held in the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th, in the 2nd floor auditorium.)
Thursday, 8:30a.m. Multnomah County Courthouse - open sentencing of Pdx-NORML director, Terry TD Miller who grew pot for medical users. Call 503-777-9088 (pdxnorml@teleport.com) for more information.
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