The host of the nationally syndicated radio show Free Talk Live, Ian Freeman (Bernard), has been threatened with 90 days imprisonment for writing about and attending a protest of the drug laws. Earlier this year, Ian was dragged into court because his tenants had a couch in the yard. Ian did not sit fast enough for Judge Burke and was given 90 days for contempt of court, plus thee days in jail for the couch “offense.” After the three days in jail, Judge Burke suspended the 90 days and released Ian. One of the conditions of release was Ian demonstrating “good behavior.” Now, for writing about, and talking about Andrew Carroll’s marijuana civil disobedience, in addition to attending the protest, Ian is being charged with “Criminal Liability for the Conduct of Another” and could have the 90 day sentence reinstated even if he is never convicted for the Criminal Liability.
This case could have serious repercussions for freedom of speech and freedom of the press in this country, if reporting on a “crime” can be construed as aiding the “crime.” The freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances is also at risk here.
We will bring you my interview with the subject of Ian’s report, Mr. Andrew Carroll, on tomorrow’s Daily Audio Stash. Carroll’s civil disobedience consisted of announcing he would be in possession of marijuana on the steps of the county courthouse. Carroll doesn’t use marijuana, nor did he sell it to anyone, and he invited police to come arrest him for this possession as an act of civil disobedience in protest of his state’s and our nation’s unjust marijuana laws.
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Andrew Carroll is thinking in the right direction. It is time for us to make a very large noise that will have an impact on the minds and hearts of the lawmakers, an impact that will move them to become lawCHANGERS! Let’s use the great power of non-violent actions, following the examples of some of history’s greatest CHANGE leaders – Dr. King and Mahatma Gandhi. Let’s put our gifted and creative minds together and come up with a way to make a grand demonstration, perhaps one that can take place on a certain day (hmmm, what would be a good date?). It must be non-violent and doesn’t have to be possession or smoking in public; it should be something that our non-smoking brothers and sisters can join in on so that even more voices can be heard. It seems that these days massive marches and demonstrations are barely noticed. Boycott? Something web based? Something that makes a financial impact? What if in one day we all gave $4.20 towards a specific need of our country – something that would show the government and the country how much our money could have an impact if it could be directed legally and above ground!
Regarding the Whitehouse.gov site – Though there is no category that specifically addresses our interests, it seems obvious that CHANGE regarding cannabis would have an impact on almost every one of the more than twenty categories listed! If they won’t listen to us there, then we will have to speak up in other ways. Let’s augment the great work that our organizations and individuals are doing through the tedious process of making our voices heard by State and Federal lawmakers
by turning up the volume by utilizing the tool of massive, impressive non-violent action!