Other Vigil reports:

Florida seniors hold first vigil

By John Chase, TNC regional leader

My vigil was OK for a first time, but I've got a lot of work to do.

A major plus is that I connected with another serious activist. He happens to be married to one of the women in my wife's bridge group. Another new guy is the retired newspaper publisher who has started the Florida Drug Report (FDR). Three old guys. I am in the middle at 66. There is a 4th guy, younger, who is temporarily too busy trying to get a business started, and a much younger guy who had to work. So now we have five. Last year there were only two.

Our next vigils will not be at courthouse. There's not enough traffic at either of the two courthouses in this county. Our next activity will be to 'table' at some of the multitude of weekend art festivals that happen in Florida during the winter. These are more 'mainstream' than hempfests. We've all agreed our core will be the three of us. Hope springs eternal to enlist help at these things from younger folks. Then we can branch out.

We did get specific help from an employee in the courthouse who came out of the building to describe how her ex-husband - a bipolar guy - was almost arrested for a single extra-strength Tylenol. She described how she faced down the cops trying to make the arrest, and they left. She offered me a contact list of all the clerks of circuit courts in Florida and told me to send TNC literature to each of them. It isn't clear what she thinks that will accomplish. I'll ask my brother, the (retired) lawyer.

I must also enhance our very small array of POWD photo posters. I spent a few hours last week with Mike Smithson of Reconsider. He described a rotatable rack he'd made - like postcard racks in drugstores - which had POWD photos instead of postcards. This idea BTW dovetails into the postcard idea we have been discussing.

Experience is a good teacher, the best in fact. I will never give up.

Colorado vigil a big hit

By Norman Abeyta, Pikes Peak Hemp Coalition

The Colorado Springs Vigil was held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Hemp Festival sponsored by the Pikes Peak Hemp Coalition on Sunday, September 17, 2000. A conservative count estimated the crowd size at 500 or more people throughout the afternoon. There was little press, but an out of town newspaper reporter interviewed several attendees. Every bit of literature was handed out by all the participating organizations so we know the word definitely got to those who quietly support us from the sidelines.

The Journey For Justice in Texas was heavily promoted and mentioned by almost all of the speakers. Thank you to the organizations who worked together to make this a successful event: Pikes Peak Hemp Coalition, November Coalition, El Paso Libertarian Party, Colorado Health Network, Colorado C.U.R.E., Epimethian Press. The following bands provided entertainment throughout the afternoon: Linn Ellen, Momma Jamma Blues Band, Mayor Topper, Hot Carl, Fill in the Blanks, Old Dog Band, Twin Flame.

Las Vegas vigil busts a bust

By Debbie Dedmon, TNC regional leader

Hello. My vigil went very well. I set up my display at the college here because there were so many events happening; I just couldn't pass up the crowds. The public reception was fabulous; I passed out all my literature and found a whole lot of people in agreement. Two members from CURE showed up, and a ton of people 'kicked it' with me for awhile. Then the most ironic thing happened.

The cops busted a young man for 'pot' right directly in front of where I stood. The cop handcuffed him and was speaking so rude and condescending that I thought the kid was a goner. I mentioned to the police how ironic that they were busting him right in front of my display, and then he took a minute to look over my exhibit.

Although saying he was a 'hard-ass', he let the kid go and even let him keep his hand blown glass pipes. He told me to tell whomever that all cops aren't bad, and many of them don't like the policies they are asked to enforce. I told him he made my day by not making my day one huge ironic bummer. I shook his hand, and he left.

I did get pictures but they are very dark. I got excited when everything went down; so I snapped a few pictures of the cops and this kid in handcuffs, and you can see the whole deal. It's a great picture with horrible quality. I'll see what I can do to fix it. I had a great day, and feel very energized like always. Thanks to all of you.

Vigil in Big Apple

By Mary Barr of Motivational Movement

I picked City Hall in Manhattan for our vigil of September 29th because I thought it made sense then, once there, I realized people were afraid to enter because of the four metal detectors and guards around the perimeter! After, when I hopped the bus, a guy came to me and said, "I saw you protesting; what was that?" I told him and asked why he did not come stand with us. He said, "I thought the guards were there to keep people out." Well, you live and learn.

We attracted about two dozen people who stayed from 2 to 3 p.m. and eight who stayed from 3-3:45. Fantastic speakers included: Dave Leven, Coretta McClendon, Roland Nicholson, Esq., Romeo Sanchez, Keith Faisson, of "The Keith Faison Show", John 'Doc" Haynes of Positive Ex-offenders, Thomasetta Harper, Black Enterprise associate and inventor of Shoulder Gard, and me. From November Coalition came Teresa Aviles, Mary Sibley and Steve Gotzler.

With a little better head start and outside of City Hall grounds proper we would have likely had a much better turn out. Hugs - Mary.

Richmond freedom vigil

By Kwame Binta, TNC regional volunteer

We here in Richmond want to thank all the people who supported the November Coalitions call to vigil either in physical or spiritual presence; it is a victory for us all in the fight for freedom and justice. We attracted about 25 participants and held our vigil in front of the Richmond City Jail during visiting hours so that we could reach the families of the people behind the walls.

We started at 6:00 p.m. ended at 7 p.m. after passing out Razor Wire newspapers and other information to people in cars and people who just came to visit loved ones. We will continue holding our vigil every last Saturday of the month between 6 and 7 p.m. at the same place, the City Jail.

We thank TNC for the idea; now we will continue to move forward until the war is over. In loving service for the people. Your e-mail, your network, your people...

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