Texas Vigil Reports:

Recap of the Austin Vigil

by Colonel Mason

The Journey for Justice (J4J) arrived in Austin in time to team up with the Friday, September 29th, vigil co-sponsored by the Texas branch of The November Coalition and the Drug Policy Forum of Texas (DPFT). This event proved to be the most spectacular drug war vigil yet held in Texas. Austin holds regular vigils on the last Monday of each month; so this special, large gathering meant much to the vigilant Austin activists. Similar vigils coordinated by November Coalition were held on Friday or during the last weekend of September in 20 other American cities.

J4J is a march first organized in Ohio and Wisconsin by "Grandma" Kay Lee of Eau Gallie, Florida. Originally designed to focus attention on the need to make marijuana available for medical purposes, J4J in Florida was designed more to focus attention on the deplorable prison conditions found at Starke and New River prisons in that state. Kay Lee and colleague Jodi James organized both J4J marches in Florida and Texas.

The Texas Journey for Jubilee Justice began September 20th in Houston where, first, the sojourners teamed up with the League of Women Voters to register voters in poor neighborhoods. The march, which included people in wheelchairs, went though Hempstead and Brenham to Giddings where a celebration was organized by Texas Cannabis Action Network (CAN) and music provided by Tennessee CAN. By September 28 the procession had arrived in Austin where CAN and the local chapter of the DPFT organized a program at the Mexican American Cultural Center on First Amendment rights.

The final mile of this historic journey was a march September 29 from the Cultural Center to the Texas State Capitol where the marchers arrived at 10:30 a.m. in plenty of time for the noon press conference on the south steps. An aide to Governor George Bush received leaders for a consultation in an upstairs office.

A procession of vehicles circled the Capitol in preparation before the speakers began addressing the crowd. A make-shift jail on a trailer with pseudo prisoners lead the way, then a 1936 Dodge sedan topped with an ACLU banner followed, driven by Texas ACLU president Greg Gladden, and a jeep with eight foot banners reading "End Victimless Crime" and "LEGALIZE" brought up the rear. In an impressive and elegant touch, a small airplane circled the capitol building for several hours trailing a banner calling for an end to the drug war.

People arrived well before the press conference was scheduled to start. Placards read Repeal Prohibition, Enough is Enough-vote Libertarian, Stop the Drug War, Legalize Marijuana, Free Charles Garrett, Indict Janet Reno, McCaffrey and Clinton are War Criminals, to name only a few. A wide variety of organizations in addition to those already noted were represented by members in the crowd, including The Society of Professional Journalists, Amnesty International, and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

DPFT Executive Director Dr. Alan Robison officiated and opened the press briefing. He gave what many believe to be his most eloquent and passionate speech. Other moving remarks were heard from Rick Day of North Texas NORML, Will Harrell, executive director of the ACLU of Texas, and George McMahon, a man only one among eight who allowed medical marijuana in the U.S. Others who spoke at the press conference included inmate Charles Garrett's four-year-old daughter Ernestine who begged for her father's return.

Charles Kiker, a Christian minister from Tulia, Texas passionately spoke of the injustice of the drug war on blacks. Of several enlightening reminders were references to collateral damage in any war, and how the drug war has its collateral damage in the families and children of prisoners so hurt economically and emotionally.

Before the press conference, a speaker for the Libertarian Party asked why, in a time of worker shortages, we tolerate talk of importing foreign workers when a large segment of the American workforce is locked up. As if to add emphasis to his remarks, during the entire event members of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Texas equivalent to a state police videotaped everything - speakers, dignitaries, remark, spectators, all. Since the taping was done quite openly, many in the crowd believe it was meant to intimidate rather than just to gather intelligence.

The press conference ended by 2:00 p.m. when key leaders and members of several organizations adjourned to the Dog and Duck Pub on 17th and Guadeloupe Streets for a lunch and planning session. Others marched to the Democratic headquarters to protest Al Gore's recent remarks that he believes there is no evidence of marijuana having any medical benefits.

Austin highlights of J4J finale

By Al Robison, DPFT and TNC leader in Texas

I think we were a bit disappointed by the number of DPFT members from outside Austin who didn't make it, but Karen and the other Austin people made up for it to a considerable degree. The Colonel and others who had also made the trip a year ago managed to convince me that the crowd at the press conference was at least 50% larger than last year. The main things I noticed were that we did a lot better job than last year attracting a rainbow crowd of black and brown faces in evidence, as opposed to the almost all white group last year.

The blacks were not just from Tulia, either, since their t-shirts easily identified those folks. As for the vigil at the Governor's mansion, my impression was that the crowd this year was, if anything, smaller than the one we had mobilized last year. On the other hand, if you count the cyclists who kept circling the block - and they were definitely part of the protest, as the Colonel notes - then it might have been a bigger crowd than last year.

Furthermore, there were lots more people in wheelchairs thanks to the J4J people. Also the signs were better this year, thanks in part to some good ones that Bob brought from Dallas, as well as signs Karen brought back from the Philadelphia Shadow convention. Speaking of signs reminds me to mention that I lost the big poster I showed at the press conference-the memorial poster for Esequiel Hernandez that the New Mexico people had made for us several years ago. If any of you know what happened to that poster, I'd appreciate hearing from you so I can get it back as soon as possible.

The only other thing I wanted to mention has to do with the good costumes worn by some. Of course the black & white prisoner costumes, that Karen and Zeal and some of the other J4J journeyers were wearing, were mentioned many of the press accounts, but at least two others seem worth noting. Nancy Neale, our most Libertarian member, came dressed as Lady Liberty and looked great. I had previously referred to Nancy as the head of the Libertarian Party of Texas, but she reminded me on Friday that's her husband's job.

Then there was Tracy, and I hardly know how to describe her outfit. Let me say for starters that she didn't look like a plain ordinary faculty member that she spends most of her time being. Mainly, I think she was just dressed up to attract attention, which she surely did, since she had dyed her hair 'shocking pink' and wore a pink outfit to match.

This vigil, like last year's, was of course a departure from the original idea of the Argentine Mothers of the Disappeared. However, Lavaca Street is very busy, with a lot of automobile traffic passing by. It's not a preferable location for anything quiet and peaceful. The vigil on Friday was peaceful but not quiet, as you'll see from the Colonel's account.

El Paso vigil cooks

By Deitra Lied, TNC regional leader

The vigil in El Paso was quite a success! Perhaps differing from other places, we held forth off the beaten path. Citizens here are somewhat reluctant to speak out about controversial issues, and rightfully so, due to the high concentration of law enforcement manning the front lines of the war zone. Our area 'boasts' an inordinate number of Border Patrol agents, Customs agents, policemen, sheriffs, DEA, FBI, "Hold the Line" mentalities, police dogs on school campuses - you get the picture.

The vigil was held at a space set aside for the exercise of our First Amendment rights at the Chamizal National Memorial. This 55-acre park - created in 1963 to end a boundary dispute, dedicated now to the spirit of cooperation - bordering the Rio Grande river sits next to one of the busiest bridges crossing into Mexico (it's in the background of the photo). We hung laminates of POWDs from the trees. Candles outlined the circle of our special area.

The weather was perfect and the sunset gorgeous. People felt safe and comfortable as they read Razor Wires and looked through displays of information, flyers, photos, books. People who joined us included friends, family members of POWDs, representatives from the Green and Libertarian Parties, college students, plus a few folks walking through the park. All present were first-time vigilers.

Two TV stations, one English speaking (KVIA, Channel 7), and one Spanish speaking (Univision, Channel 26) sent cameramen. Between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. there were 3-5 people with me at any given time. Altogether, about 20 individual supporters gave their time and spirits to the cause. Thank you!

If you are anywhere near El Paso on Saturday night, November 4th, stop by and say "Hello" at a Third Party party at La Tuya, 1731 Lee Trevino. Several local musicians and favorite groups have promised to play and help raise awareness of the people and money for the local chapter of the November Coalition. Thanks a million, Rich, and everyone else who's helping out. Join us!

For more information call 915-546-8400.