Thefts mar peaceful marijuana legalization rally
By TOM LOUNSBERRY
Courier-Post Staff
COURIER POST online
CAMDEN-NJ ( April 25, 1999)
About 70 people drifted in and out of a combination political pep rally and protest to legalize marijuana Saturday at Ulysses S.Wiggins Park on the riverfront under the watchful eye of police.But there apparently was no honor among the pot proponents as several male youths attending the rally allegedly ( allegedly my ass ) stole about 50 T-shirts and $150 in cash from the rally's organizer. Camden County freeholder candidate Edward Forchion and his Legalize Marijuana Party staged the rally along Mickle Boulevard and the Delaware River against a backdrop of tugboats and barges navigating the river. But without a permit, the, group was unable to make speeches, pass out literature or sign up new voters. ( Apparently the first amendment is again being suspended because of my intended speak against the "WAR ON DRUGS" ) Instead, they broke into small groups who sat on the park's sun-drenched, grassy slopes. Some talked of legalizing marijuana while others drank soda, barbecued, and sang to the music of a lone guitarist. Cardboard signs urging leg@ation of marijuana, reading "Get High" or "Weed is a gift from the earth," lay next to blankets on which many sat.
Some would occasionally light a rolled cigarette, which emitted a distinct odor, and pass it among the groups. Camden County Park police looked on from a distance. ( They had to smell it ) "We're not looking for any confrontation," Camden County Park police Chief James Weist said. "I have met with Mr. Forchion and explained the situation. He is allowed to use the park just like any other citizen and, as long as his group is peaceful and orderly, he won't have any problem with us."( Bullshit-they were censoring my free speech- by trying to prevent me from talking about the positive's of marijuana) But Forchion wasn't entirely happy with the event. "I don't see why we're not allowed to hand out our literature". Is the first amentment suspended when it come's to DRUG WAR issue's". We're here to express our view that marijuana should be legal. We're here to gather support for our cause and our party," he said. "Some of us freely choose to smoke marijuana. We are not criminals," he said as he openly puffed on a marijuana cigarette. "Marijuana is far less addictive or, dangerous than most legal drugs like alcohol or tobacco, which kill hundreds of thousands of Americans each year." 100,000 die each year from legal drugs The demonstration lasted about 90 minutes. But it didn't end on a quiet note.
Ed Forchion who was recovering from back surgery, and wearing a brace said ,"police would not let him drive his van to the rally site to pick up his literature, T-shirts and other pro-marijuana materials. Instead, several young white men who attended the rally offered to help him carry his belongings back to his van. The helpful youths, however, instead stole about 50 T-shirts and $150 stashed under the shirts. Police confirmed Forchion filed a theft report after the rally. He even gave a tag number -(NJ) YE519W belonging to the late model maxium the youths jumped into. He has openly offered a reward of a 1/4 oz of pot for information leading to these pothead thieves. WEED REWARD
At the time I was recovering from back surgery and couldn't stop these
thieves. - Medical Note
- Really I just want my shit back!- Or $300.oo -- Because of my open
stance on "MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION " law enforcement ype's refuse to help
me with anything. These guy's ripped me off right in front of them, I got
a tag number and everything and they don't do anything to them. -- It's
just like the instance's with NJ State Trooper PATRICK THORNTON - he assualted
me once - no charges where allowed to be brought up against him.
And he retailiated against me once (dec 2-1998) winslow twp) by writting
9 bogus ticket's.
Please write the courier post and tell them you want them to cover my trial.