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Hello Fellow
Activist,
I know I have
been out of touch for awhile and it may seem as though nothing has
been happening with regards to the movement for reform of cannabis
laws. Can I take a moment of your time to fill you in on what has
been going on?
We have been
busy fighting for the right to return to Piedmont Park. We
haven’t been allowed a legitimate stage for our demonstration
in the park since 1994! Though the city tried to stop
the event completely, you will remember that we persevered and held
the event with Cypress Hill and Black Uhuru from Jamaica,
albeit on a flatbed truck with a generator. It was only possible
through the generous support of our members that we were able to
pull it off. Then we sued the City of Atlanta.
We won our
Federal case against the city in 1999. And the city was forced
to rewrite their unconstitutional ordinance. They finished this
work earlier this year. And this ordinance is worse than the last.
Much worse, it was a hollow victory. We had to file suit
against the Park’s administrators who twice last year denied
our access to the park for the pot festival. And when they denied
it last September 21st, and then passed and signed this
onerous and unconstitutional Festival 2003 Ordinance into
law, we filed against the city in Federal Court, again!
Even after the
city suspended ALL applications for use of public property
last November, which wasn’t resumed until January 14th
of this year, we kept attempting to get access to the park for our
10th Annual Great Atlanta Pot Festival. And we kept
trying to apply.
It has been
a long struggle. And I thought of giving up many times. But
then I remembered all the victims of this war. And I remembered
all the prisoners, and broken families, and of all the patients
that want and could benefit from medicinal marijuana. And I remembered
all the lies that the DEA and all the other misguided and ill informed
zealots who would label the culture we belong to as terrorists.
But most of
all I remembered the half million prisoners rotting in jails
in federal and state prisons or that are on long and torturous sentences
of parole or probation. And of all the folks who were discriminated
against for public schooling, government student loans, or for public
housing, or for employment at all without submitting to piss tests.
My dear friend,
I continued because I know that the First Amendment is the
most important weapon we have on our side in this war. Aside from
the fact that certain forces don’t want rock and roll in Piedmont
Park or hip-hop music for that matter, it is important that we preserve
the few freedoms that we have. Without losing anymore.
Now I must ask
for your help. I have carried the ball this far. NOW, I think
we can make an important statement, if we all further this cause
and support an open and frank discussion in public on whether or
not we are AMERICANS, deserving equal treatment and equal
justice. I need your financial support. I need all your resources
that you can afford to contribute to this cause. Printing, paper,
transportation, anything to make this next pot festival a success.
You would be surprised how you can help if you put your mind to
it. And you will feel good for it.
WE HAVE OUR
PERMIT FOR PIEDMONT PARK. THE 10th ANNUAL GREAT
ATLANTA POT FESTIVAL is scheduled for Easter Sunday April
20 (420) between the hours of noon and 8pm. YES,
in Piedmont Park by the bathhouse. We have secured the pavilion
and the gazebo. We have activists coming to speak from all over
the south. And we have entertainment suitable for everyone. We have
some very special guests presenting a PETER TOSH TRIBUTE with
Andrew Tosh and a killer backup band. And then we have LIL
JON & THE EASTSIDE BOYZ coming. Opening will be a great
surprise rock & roll jam, you’ll recognize the artists
when you hear! Food & drink also.
But it has
been expensive to carry this load alone. Although there have
been a few hardy souls who have stood by me, and made the sacrifices
necessary, this battle is one we need to win decisively and with
great public presence. Don’t let me down.
Can you help
me? Can you make that sacrifice this time and contribute to
the end of this war. This war that has take so many more victims
than could ever be conceivable than the war now in progress in Irag.
And on our own people. I NEED your help. Please, please
consider sending me what you can. We need as much as we can get
and soon as we can get it. The south is behind in legislative reform.
Now is the time for action. Please consider sending $10, $20,
$50, $100 or even more to the Camp Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
It will be put to greatest possible good. Immediately.
We are asking
that everyone pass the word and tell them to attend. We are asking
those that attend to contribute a meager $10 donation (cheap)
to the event’s expense. Call me at 404-522-2267 or at
my home and leave me your number. Let me know how you can help.
Or email me back and let me know.
We will have
posted posters and handbills on the camp website that you can print
@ http://www.worldcamp.org/local.htm
in the form of PDF files and with minimal low resolution
JPG’s to forward to your own friends by email. We will be meeting
on every Saturday at 3pm until Saturday Easter 420.
We will me meeting at the IAG gallery at 845 Memorial Drive
(404-577 —0300). Our CAMP info HOTLINE again is 404-522-2267.
I know you won’t
let me down. I know you won’t let our fellow hempsters down.
We are united and we will prevail. Call me now.
I am, respectfully
and gratefully yours,
Paul Cornwell
Atlanta CAMP
Please send
donations to: Camp Legal Defense Fund, Inc. PO Box 5718, Atlanta,
GA.30117-5718
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