Vigil to End the Drug War

National Candlelight Vigil to End the Drug War Sunday, September 22nd 2002, 6:30 pm Jack London Square, Oakland, 1st & Broadway We are all affected. …the hundreds of thousands of incarcerated nonviolent drug offenders. …the children and other family members of these woman & men. …the 87, 000 potential students who have lost college financial aid since 2000 due to drug convictions, the only crime that is punished by such a permanent measure. …those who strive to create a society of racial & social justice, knowing the drug war hits women and people of color disproportionably. Medical marijuana advocates are here. … because this is the night before the sentencing hearing of Bryan Epis, the first Medical Marijuana provider individually convicted for enacting Prop 215. He is currently in custody, and faces a 10-year mandatory minimum for growing medicine for himself and a few other patients. … because since we served 'cease & desist' orders to the DEA on June 6, a number of patients and caregivers have been arrested by the DEA, patient medicine has been seized, and asset forfeiture has been instituted. … because the California Medical Board continues to persecute physicians exercising their expressed rights and responsibilities under the Compassionate Use Act. … because some jurisdictions apparently believe prosecutions aren't advisable since the Mower decision recognizing Prop 215, so they are forwarding potential cases to the DEA for action in direct violation of provisions of the California Constitution. ... because malicious prosecutions of patients, caregivers, and physicians acting in accord with the Compassionate Use Act must cease! Bring candles, flowers, and pictures of those dead or incarcerated due to drug war madness to leave behind as a remaining visual protest. Sponsored by Americans for Safe Access, and endorsed by The November Coalition, Cannabis Action Network, Drug Policy Alliance, Commonsense for Drug Policy, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Marijuana Policy Project, and the Media Awareness Project. For more info or to endorse: Americans for Safe Access Phone: 510-486-8083; www.safeaccessnow.org