Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jul 2002 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 MARIJUANA CRUSADERS SET TO BURN FLAG ON 4TH OF JULY There are a number of issues that are fueling recent activism, say a trio of local pot crusaders, and the results will be a 4th of July flag burning. Tim Felger and Jon Fulford will be accompanied by federal Marijuana Party candidate, Norm Siefken, for the burning of the American flag in Abbotsford. The activists say they are tired of the U.S.-based war on pot, and that "the freedom and liberty which was defined by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington is not the same freedom and liberty that exists now under George W. Bush's dictatorship of scandals and corruption." Norm Siefken, who has ran for the federal and provincial marijuana party said, "I'm proud to stand alongside the Fraser Valley's finest marijuana activists in solidarity, and to burn the American flag; it's pretty scary that the Drug Enforcement Agency is opening up camp on our sovereign soil." Felger is convinced, "burning the flag sends the right message, and the UCFV study proves the Abbotsford Police are wasting taxpayer dollars. The 4th of July event will sport new and improved signs, and the police are warned not to harass us when we are exercising our charter of rights like freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly, or there will be legal consequences." Fulford said, "Right now there are a lot of statistics being abused by law enforcement, and I predict the next step will be to say B.C. has a high crime rate because of drugs and organized crime, but really that is because of the BC Liberals' cut to welfare. Before the Americans can point fingers at the war on drugs, let's investigate the past CIA drug smuggling of crack cocaine from Nicaragua to Arkansas and South Central Los Angeles, which was documented by former LAPD officers and reported in San Jose newspapers." The joint statement said the three men are "also disappointed that the Chilliwack RCMP has been able to con $160,000 more from taxpayers after the recent UCFV study predicted there would be 'drive-by-shootings' as a result of marijuana grow-ops. We feel that politicians like MP Randy White are probably giving thumbs up to this type of prohibition propaganda. however, attorney John Conroy, QC, and other lawyers are challenging these findings." Author of the UCFV studies, Professor Plecas said, "There are no grow-ops to speak of in Washington State because the penalties are so severe, why would anybody risk it?" Felger finds "these RCMP-funded research results to be exactly what they are, RCMP-funded propaganda" -- and makes note that half of the cannabis consumed in the United States is grown there. The U.S. Department of Justice website says, "Growers in both Canada and the United States have access to the same strains of cannabis seeds and the same cultivation technologies. Therefore, growers in both countries are capable of producing the same quality of high-grade marijuana." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth