A Remarkable Record of
Activism In Florida
(Marijuananews note: Florida is ruled by some of
the most extreme prohibitionists in DEAland, but it is blessed with some of the most
dedicated and effective activists.)From Jodi James
"You may well ask, "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, etc.? Isn't
negotiation a better path?"
You are exactly right in your call for negotiation. Indeed, this is the purpose of direct
action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative
tension that a community that has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront
the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored."
- Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham City Jail, 1963
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Florida Activists Take Action
November 9, 1999
Central and North Florida - In a flurry of activities, Florida reformists took on the
issues of medical marijuana use, freedom for the individual and the politicians need to be
accountable to the public.
In Gainesville Florida on Thursday November 4, 1999, activists met with television and
radio media to highlight the 10th Annual Hempfest in Gainesville FL and the protest and
vigil at the State Prison in Starke.
Kevin Aplin, President of FL CAN arranged the conference in the home of infamous
"Doobie Tosser". On hand for the conference were Murli Watkins, The Doobie
Tosser; Anne and Joe Tacl, Drug War Survivors; Scott Bledsoe, President of the Coalition
Advocating Medical Marijuana; Kay Lee, Director of the Journey for Justice and Jodi James,
Statewide Volunteer Coordinator for the Coalition. The press conference
introduced the activists to local media and dealt directly with the issue of the medical
marijuana campaign in Florida and the festival surrounding the need for legislative
change.
On Friday, thousands were educated about cannabis hemp as activist volunteers peppered
crowds at the University of Florida Gator Homecoming parade and the Gator Growl with
fliers.
Saturday November 6, 1999
The 10th Annual Gainesville Hempfest was a great success. The media coverage was positive
and on site reporters from High Times and Cannabis Culture BC got caught up in the groove.
Thousands attended this event with no interference from the police. Music, lights and a
variety of food and novelties amused attendees while motivating speakers educated the
crowd about medical marijuana and changing unjust drug laws. The
Editor of Moon Magazine donated his time to run a voter registration table and new and old
voters signed the petition for medical freedom. A good time was had by all who attended.
Sunday November 7, 1999
Grandma Lee, joined by Scott Bledsoe, of CAMM and Ashley Kennedy of High Times, ventured
to Starke to once again take up vigil at the state penitentiary.
See
To Those Who Would Be Free
- Where Are You? By Kay Lee
Activists from Titusville and Jacksonville joined the trio. In a previous visit, activists
had been warned against the use of a bullhorn. When the tribal drums began to echo around
the prison complex, officials inside remained quiet. Grandma Lee will tentatively be at
the prison complex in Starke for Thanksgiving Day (November 25, 1999).
Monday November 8, 1999
Divide and Conquer
FL CAN President Kevin Aplin attended the Alachua County commission meeting today to give
input on the performance of the police at Hempfest and the poor conditions that the public
facilities where kept in. The Mayor of Gainesville reimbursed the
Cannabis Action Network the money spent for toilet paper. In past years, several Florida
counties have locked bathrooms at sites being used for free speech events by marijuana
activists.
Meanwhile.....
Scott Bledsoe, President of the Coalition Advocating Medical Marijuana and Vice president
of the FL Cannabis Action Network was outside the Hilton Hotel in Jacksonville. This lone
voice of reason, bullhorn is hand, spent over 45 minutes railing against the Brothers Bush
at a $1000.00 a plate fundraiser. Scott is the founder of the
Florida Truth Police Squad, a group that meets elected officials where they are and asks
tough questions about drug policy and the plight of medical marijuana users. Scott
did report that he was confident that he was being heard inside the event. When asked to
desist and leave, Scott firmly told them "no". Although a threat was made to
have police remove him, Scott remained on vigil unmolested.
Meanwhile....
Jodi James, Statewide Volunteers Coordinator for the Coalition Advocating Medical
Marijuana and Director of the Cannabis Freedom Coalition was attending a public hearing in
Tampa held be Health and Human Services. Jodi was able to testify before the HHS committee
and Florida Drug Czar James McDonough on the need to train treatment workers to identify
MMJ users, develop protocol for this class of people, establish IND programs and remove
MMJ from the law enforcement/treatment cycle freeing up resources for addicts seeking
treatment.
November 9, 1999
The Journey Begins.....
Kay Lee, Director of the Journey for Justice, announced today that the preparations for
the third Journey For Justice are taking place. Building on the experience of the two
previous Journeys (Wisconsin and Ohio), Kay has appointed Scott Bledsoe as Project
Coordinator, Kevin Aplin as Media Coordinator and Jodi James as Public Relations Director
to assist in accomplishing this event. The team is developing the route that will take
patients and prisoners ( in spirit) from the Florida State Prison (home of "old
sparkey") to the Capitol Lawn in Tallahassee.
The Patients and Prisoners Journey for Justice will be built on the theme "From the
BIG HOUSE to YOUR HOUSE, Brother Jeb" Anticipating as many as 16 patients and 8 care
givers, this journey will last six days, cover around one hundred and sixty miles. As with previous journeys, patients walking and in wheel chairs will
travel at a speed of around 4 miles per hour, keeping at least one wheel chair on the road
from 9 AM until they reach the nightly destination (tentatively around 5 PM each evening)
They P&P J4J is scheduled to correspond with the Coalition Advocating Medical
Marijuana's Medical Awareness Week in Tallahassee.
Grandma Lee and Project Coordinator, Scott Bledsoe, left today for the first step of the
journey, planning the route.
See
The Slow Murder Of A
Medical Marijuana Prisoner In Texas -- By Kay Lee
The team hopes to produce training manuals and a video documentary of the Journey to be
used as reference material for other groups wishing to do similar projects.
If you are interested in hearing more about the activities going on in Florida or if you
are ready to join in the action, please attend the 6th Annual Cannabis Freedom
Festival in Melbourne FL on November 20 and 21, 1999. Located just 5 miles off I-95 at the
Wickham Park Main Pavilion on Wickham Road, this event highlights organizations from
around the state. If your organization is not currently being represented, please contact
407-253-3673 to reserve your free information booth at the event. This two-day event
features entertainment for all ages, pets are welcome, on-site camping is available and
discount hotel rooms are available through the Cannabis Freedom Coalition upon request.
This is
a donations only event, donations of canned goods to feed the hungry are strongly
recommended.
Supported