On Tuesday, July 12, 2005, medical marijuana patient and lifelong
advocate Steve McWilliams committed suicide while awaiting federal
sentencing. Many of us remember Steve as the man who organized and led
the September 2002 public handout of medical marijuana to patients at
San Diego's City Hall. As a result of this sort of "balls to the wall"
activism, Steve was targeted by the DEA and arrested on charges relating
to the cultivation of 25 marijuana plants grown for the medical
marijuana collective he operated, Shelter from the Storm. He plead
guilty because he would have been prohibited from presenting a valid
medical marijuana defense in Federal court.

Steve was sentenced to six months and released pending appeal but denied
access to marijuana. He had been depressed, in terrible pain, and was
hospitalized as late as last week. Steve's depression was apparently a
combination of factors - including dreadful thoughts about going to
prison and his deteriorating health. He was taking powerful
pharmaceuticals including opiates, anti-nausea, anti-migraine and a
variety of other 'prescribed' drugs in far higher amounts than when he
was able to medicate with marijuana. Evidently, they were the
substances used to overdose.

Americans for Safe Access invites activists to join us on Tuesday, July
19, 2005, for nationwide vigils to remember Steve McWilliams.

We have received an overwhelming amount of support from community
members for Steve McWilliams. Currently, there are vigils planned in
sixteen cities across the country. To get detailed information about
contact the local contacts, or contact Rebecca:
rebecca at safeaccessnow.org or 510-251-1856.

- California:
Los Angeles - Amanda - amarajane at yahoo.com
Oakland - Mikki - mikki at hr95.org
Orange County - Rick - endprohibition at socal.rr.com

San Diego - Claudia - ronandclaudia at cox.net
San Francisco - Tony - tonebowles at sbcglobal.net

Santa Cruz - Valerie - valerie at wamm.org
Sonoma - Terri - TWorden36 at aol.com
Susanville - Tim - ziggy420me at yahoo.com

- Colorado - Lorisa - llawrenceccc [at] hotmail.com

- Indiana: Lawrenceburg - Vanessa - osuandsonny at fuse.net

- Oregon:
Eugene - Jim - jimgreigads at yahoo.com
Portland - Trista - empowerdchic at yahoo.com

- Texas: Austin - Karen - heikkala at bga.com

- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia - Emily - emlee_p at yahoo.com

- Utah - Ken - Kblindfaith2 at charger.net

- Washington DC - Caren - caren at safeaccessnow.org

If you are planning a vigil and have not yet alerted ASA about it,
please email Rebecca at rebecca at safeaccessnow.org or call 510-251-1856.

While we are leaving these vigils open-ended to local activists, many
will take place at federal buildings, and we have developed messaging
and materials that you can use.

*MESSAGING:*

Tuesday is a day to honor Steve McWilliams' life. He was a brave
activist, patient and caregiver who was ultimately attacked by the
federal government. Sadly, Steve's story is not the only tragedy in the
medical marijuana movement. Twenty patients died shortly after WAMM was
raided by the DEA. Others are facing lengthy sentences, when they will
be separated from their families and unable to use their medicine.

This is a time to call on the federal government to stop these
tragedies. The DEA must stop arresting patients and Congress must pass a
law protecting patients' rights in states that allow medical marijuana.
Ultimately, marijuana must be rescheduled so patients throughout the
country can use their medicine without fearing federal attack.

*MATERIALS:*

*Signs: *We have created sign with Steve McWilliams' picture and a quote
from him. You can find it on our website:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Steve.McWilliams.Poster.pdf
You should make several blown up copies to hold at the vigil. Also feel
free to create your own signs.

*Leaflets:* Also available on our wesite is a two-sided leaflet that can
be passed out to participants and people passing by the vigil to spread
your message:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Steve.McWilliams.Flyer.pdf

*Banners:* Several activists will be creating banners that say: "Ask me
how the feds killed Steve McWilliams." This will attract the public to
engage with you and take interest in your leaflets. Here's a quick how
to on banners. If you'd like more information, please contact the ASA
office.

- The best material to use is paint drop cloth. You can usually
pick this up at a hardware store for about $20, which buys you a 9X12
canvass.
- You can cut the 9x12 in half and tie (or sew) together the
pieces to form a longer 4.5x24ft long banner.
- Paint: Black or Red on a white background is best, and easiest.

Thanks to all who are participating in these vigils. This is what Steve
would have wanted. Just as he did, we must continue to fight for
patients, no matter how hard the feds work against us.

--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
p (510) 251-1856
f (510) 251-2036
http://www.safeaccessnow.org