Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2001
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Brad Carter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1501/a01.html

FRIENDS OF JUSTICE HAS MANY ALLIES

In his Aug. 15 column, "Friends of Justice needs to come clean with 
facts," Gordon Scott seems to want to change the subject.

Since he has found there is nothing to be gained by criticizing 
Friends of Justice for what we are, he has turned to criticizing us 
for whom we associate with.

Dr. Scott wants us to be more "candid" about these dark associations. 
I don't see how we could be more candid.

We blasted e-mail and fax notices all across the country proudly 
announcing that dozens of individuals representing myriad 
organizations had been given a seat at our table for "Never Again!"

We have found allies among the clergy, the League of United Latin 
American Citizens, National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People, American Civil Liberties Union, Kunstler Fund for 
Racial Justice, criminal-justice reform advocates, drug-policy reform 
advocates (including Drug Policy Forum of Texas) and concerned 
citizens in general.

Obviously, none of these groups share everything in common. What we 
do share is a belief that justice was not served in the infamous 
Tulia drug sting of '99.

Does this mean that Friends of Justice advocates the legalization of 
drugs? To my knowledge, the discussion never has come up. Instead, we 
have been busy acting as advocates for those who were wrongfully 
convicted in a Swisher County courthouse and for Texas 
criminal-justice reform that would raise the standards of evidence 
and hold police more accountable when conducting undercover drug 
operations.

Jesus of Nazareth was forever in trouble because he chose to 
associate with "undesirables." Friends of Justice stands proudly with 
all who insist that justice must be available to the least of us, 
regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Brad Carter

Friends of Justice
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