California Vigil Reports:

Chico vigil clicks

By Sharon and Craig North, TNC regional volunteers

The Chico Vigil was successful in many ways. A constant stream of cars passing by honked their horns in support. About 15 people gathered in front of the City Hall in downtown Chico during the 4:00-7:00 p.m. time span. Many were new people, which is always nice. We held the laminates of prisoners' faces and the Two Million is Too Many placards. We also had with us some of the large Educate - Don't Incarcerate and Drugs are Bad, the Drug War is Worse posters from the Shadow Convention.

These are excellent visual aids for our location because the drivers in passing vehicles easily get the idea. We handed out the End the Drug War flyers from Family Awareness Council and November Coalition Razor Wire newspapers. Several media people came by, two radio people and one newspaper reporter.

Several of us reflected that the vigil process is important, not only to get out the word to the general public, but also for us to receive the word from the public. We received overwhelming words of support from passersby. It feels so good to know that what we are working toward is supported by our community.

We made several new contacts. Chico State University students who attended asked us to set up a table every day this week at the free speech area on campus. They are sponsoring political awareness information sessions with each day focussing on different levels of government. Wednesday is the day for the federal issues, and they asked us to speak that day.

Other TNC vigil coordinators might begin checking at your local college or university campuses for possible interest in a similar free speech session at their schools. THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW!

Two high school students joined us, asking for more information about the issues, wondering aloud if we might speak to their high school organization. We also met once again a fellow whose brother-in-law is serving a federal mandatory minimum sentence in Florida. He brought paperwork regarding his relative's case and the Apprendi decision.

All in all a good time was had by all. Thank you November Coalition for supporting these efforts!

Orange County, CA vigil big success

By Rachel Morton, TNC regional volunteer

I'm very pleased to tell you that the Orange County vigil of September 29th was very successful, especially for a first effort. Its success is due, in great part, to the support received from other reform groups in the Orange County area. We counted more than 40 participants including representatives from the American Medical Marijuana Association, Orange County Hemp Council, 215 Garden Club, Libertarian Party.

Elenora Howell attended with Rudy Howell's two young sons holding signs and chanting slogans with the rest of us. Rudy is Elenora's son, a first time non-violent offender serving an extreme 25-year sentence, another victim of government misuse of paid informants.

The prisoner-laminates, including Rudy's, were secured on poster board and displayed by the park's walk way. We hung two banners that were visible to traffic, a "medical marijuana" banner and a TNC there is no justice in the war on drugs banner. Additionally, we had created many signs about the failing drug war and its negative impact on society and families. Elenora Howell and I were interviewed and photographed with the laminates by a reporter for a local newspaper
Overall, the reaction from people was incredibly supportive as they passed by our vigil at the busy Southern California intersection during traffic's rush hour. I mean lots of traffic! There was a cacophony of honking, shouts of 'legalize it", hooting, smiling and waving, thumbs up. One local police cruiser's driver honked and waved in support. There were a few negative responses, too, but very few. To those folks we waved back, shouted, and held our signs with determination. We were very unified in our strong display of vigilant passion.

It seems the sidewalk display of laminates for the pedestrians was the most effective for discussing issues and getting signatures. The banners and signs were very effective in raising awareness that there are people actively opposing the war on drugs. The support demonstrated by the community toward dedicated local groups mentioned above made the vigil a very exciting and rejuvenating experience. I will get you photos ASAP. Everyone took lots of photos!

San Francisco vigil is tourist attraction

By Patty Nielson, TNC regional leader in San Francisco

We gathered near the busy Powell & Market St. Cable Car turnaround -famous for long lines of tourists waiting to ride the historic cable cars - also close to the rapid transit system (BART), and across from the San Francisco Shopping Center. Our vigil of September 29th attracted a turnout of nine active, interesting participants.

There was Henry, the petition-drive signature collector and candle light guy, rocking with tons of signatures, efficient creativity and zeal to end the drug war. Caryn, my devoted volunteer and master educator, a devout supporter all the way and now sharing this spot with first-time participant husband Dan. Glad to see Andy and Andrea, a warm compassionate couple with lots of spirit. Another helpful first time 'vigiler' debuted, a veteran supporter of TNC because it's the group most 'close to the issues', so says Robby. A Lindesmith representative, Jo, quick with her tactfulness of putting yappy non-supporters in their place. Treese, a spirited representative of Yes on proposition 36 campaign (treatment not jail) in California.

Two first time visitors were Laleh and friend; Laleh is beginning some university research for a woman-in-prison documentary. I had briefly corresponded with her, and she traveled from a far distance on the way to another event just to see us in action. After witnessing the many victims involved by the drug war, she may consider broadening her scope of research. Pia, a photographer from The Independent, which she claims is America's largest non-daily newspaper, hung out with us from start to finish. She took dozens of pictures of vigilant TNCers, concerned citizens and our candlelight moments.

As always, people passing by were very receptive and showed much compassion. Hundreds of people in a 'rush mode' couldn't dare stop but nevertheless noticed the striking posters of drug war victims and families. One homeless man commented that he wanted to sign our Jubilee Petition but doesn't have an address. I told him he had every right to sign the Petition, and he should put down "homeless" as his address. I told him these petitions are going to Washington DC, and while Clinton may not read each and every one of the sheets, perhaps someone near him will. San Francisco has a very large homeless population that continues to grow due to the increasingly high cost of rent associated with a tight housing market, and this man is by no means the first homeless person to sign for relief in this Jubilee year.

A welcome surprise was the hoopla and ringing of bells from hundreds of bicyclists called Critical Mass wheeling by on Market Street, a group that rides together every last Friday of each month with various messages. Most people, I believe, would say they are asserting bicyclists' rights to bike, not drive. We quickly greeted them and handed out TNC tabloids to those who were able to take literature. We all chanted "Stop the drug war!" and many cyclists replied with vocal support.

We wrapped up around 7:30 p.m., hugged each other, traded contact numbers and said our good byes. Before leaving I shared with everyone a little part of what I know to be true about our vigilant effort. What we do here continues to open rays of hope and light for prisoners and their families. Every time I speak with my brother (in prison) he always thanks us and tells me with sober sincerity how much our efforts are appreciated.

The drug war may not end tomorrow, but it might end the next day. So every step, every breath we take to end this war against people will surely expedite this complex process of freeing 'our' families, America's families.

Libertarians Rally for Drug Initiative

By Josh Goldstein

Members of the Libertarian Party took their message of decriminalizing illegal drugs to the Ventura County Government Center on Friday (September 29th). As lawyers, jurors and government workers made their way to the busy courthouse and Hall of Justice, party member Donna Nowland passed out fliers in support of Proposition 36, an initiative on the November ballot.

The initiative would give people convicted on a first or second minor drug charge the option of seeking drug treatment instead of a jail sentence. "It should be a personal choice," said Nowland, a former member of the Republican and Democratic parties. "We ask for responsibility and tolerance."

With the election more than five weeks away, Nowland joined about half a dozen Ventura County Libertarian Party members and the November Coalition to rally support for the initiative. "Let's look to treatment as a health issue, instead of a law enforcement issue," Nowland said.

The initiative would not pertain to individuals convicted of manufacturing or selling drugs. Initiative supporters at the rally also supplied voter registration forms to jurors, lawyers, law enforcement officers, county workers and other passersby.
Dressed in a traditional zebra-striped jail outfit, Hal Chiprin, a Libertarian and November Coalition member, said several simultaneous rallies were taking place statewide in support of Proposition 36. "I haven't had any skeptics here today," Chiprin said about an hour after the rally began. "Maybe they are all still inside (the government center) prosecuting people."

Source: LA Times.com, Saturday, September 30, 2000