RELEASE: Protesters To Rally At Madison Federal Building Monday (September 16, 2002) At Noon To Protest Latest DEA Raid On California Medical Marijuana Provider

For Immediate Release September 14, 2002

PROTESTERS TO RALLY AT MADISON FEDERAL BUILDING MONDAY AT NOON TO PROTEST LATEST DEA RAID ON CALIFORNIA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROVIDER

Just a week after raiding WAMM, a Santa Cruz California medical marijuana collective, and seizing hundreds of patients medicine, DEA agents raided Genesis 1:29, a dispensary in Petaluma, north of San Francisco, arresting Robert Schmidt, the owner. Also raided was a garden in nearby Sebastopol in connection with Genesis. The DEA has targeted 6 medical dispensaries in the last year.

So, for the second time in just 10 days, and the third time in a little over 3 months, protesters will again be gathering at federal buildings across the U.S. including the one in Madison, located at 120 N. Henry St. 

Join us in demanding an end to these continuing attacks on sick and dying Americans and to call on all members of Wisconsin's House delegation to join U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and the currently 37 others in cosponsoring HR 2592, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act, and for U.S. Senators Feingold and Kohl to denounce these attacks.

We are also calling on Congress to support a proposal by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, (D-NY), to amend the Justice Department's funding bill to bar the DEA from conducting raids against medical marijuana facilities operating under state laws' protection.

A February 2002 Chamberlain Research poll found over 80% of Wisconsinites support legalizing access to medical marijuana. Since it is very likely a medical marijuana bill will again be introduced when the state legislature reconvenes in January, so it is important Wisconsinites act now to protest federal moves in other states. What you do today protects your freedom tomorrow!

Please join us at the Federal Courthouse at 120 N. Henry St. in downtown Madison, across from the Civic Center just off State St., from Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Monday September 16. 

For more information contact Gary Storck, Wisconsinites for Safe Access, 608.241.8922/608.217.4136, wi4safeaccess@ameritech.net, or visit the Americans For Safe Access website at: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/.

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