Seattle Hempfest in a major struggle

May 6, 2007

From: Vivian McPeak <vivian [at] hemp.net>
Seattle Hempfest in a major struggle

http://www.hempfest.org

Hempfest is in jeopardy of not gaining a permit to hold the
annual protestival. Because of a concerted effort on behalf of the Seattle
Art Museum, which has created a huge development project, the Olympic
Sculpture Park, right at the opening of Myrtle Edwards Park (Hempfest's
home since 1995)- we are fighting back.

We have switched our website to the Drupal format which allows any of our
folks to update web content at will, without need of the html savvy. You
can read about our ordeal here:

http://hempfest.org/drupal/?q=node/4

We are asking our supporters everywhere to contact the Seattle Art Museum
(info on website) to politely let them know that they need to grant safe
access to free speech events over the public lands they control, and that
Hempfest is an important venue for free speech.

We've survived every challenge the last couple of years that have included
the untimely passing of two key members, a total rainout year, and now we
are faced with monetary challenges stemming from this legal battle we are
in.

We remain undaunted in the knowledge that we will be victorious, but we
are humbled by the fact that we cannot do it alone. We need our supporters
to step forward and show their support.

We recently gave a powerpoint presentation to the Seattle City Council,
and police, fire and parks all agree with us that we need to use SAM's
passageway to safely produce our event. We have a great team of renowned
lawyers, and a group of dedicated and selfless people who don't know how
to give up or give in, but we're about to give out.

But we cannot do this all alone. Pleae spread the word within the reform
community that Seattle Hempfest is scrappin' for our existence against one
of the largest and most powerful institutons in Seattle. The want us gone,
they have told us so. Well, we have lived with prejudice all of our adult
lives, we're from the pot culture. We are not going anywhere.

Please check out our website, call or e-mail the Seattle Art Museum, and
we'll see you this August for the 16th annual Seattle Hempfest!

Hempfest For Victory!

Hugs,

Vivian-

Vivian Wm. McPeak
Seattle Hempfest 2007/NORML of Washington State
206-522-0846 office 206-295-7258 cell
http://www.hempfest.org