potforfreedom

Pro-Hemp Demonstration Held Saturday 05/07/06

By Lynn L. Martin

PHOTO: This trio held a small public demonstration supporting the legalization of cannabis on the northwest corner of the Woods County Courthouse square Saturday. From left: Keary Prophet, Travis Foutch, and Cullen Barham. Photo by Lynn L. Martin

Three individuals holding up hand-made signs demonstrated their support Saturday for the legalization of cannabis. Traffic is light on the square on Saturday so not a lot of people saw the effort.

A curious cop dropped by. The police chief took their picture.

Cullen Barham said he is a construction worker from Cherokee. He says, "Call me 'Hippie,' that's what everyone else does." He said, "We're just having fun exercising our right to a peaceful demonstration about a cause we believe in."

The trio offered literature promoting cannabis as a medicine which touted benefits for AIDS victims, and those suffering from cancer chemotherapy, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

Another brochure touted hemp as an alternative fuel. The literature says that pilot plants operating since 1973 have proven that hemp is the only biomass resource capable of making America energy independent. The claims say one pound of hemp will produce 5000-8000 BTU of heat per pound.

A third brochure reasoned that hemp was the standard fiber of the world until large chemical companies invented synthetic fibers. One paragraph read, "The war industries who produce the synthetic fibers - DuPont, Allied Chemical, Monsanto, etc., are protected from competition by the marijuana laws even though hemp can be refined down to fibers used in linen, canvas, netting and cellulose.”

When asked what kind of reaction they had received from citizens, Travis Foutch said, We've had a lot of thumbs up gestures, but were also were cussed out really thoroughly by one person."

Keary Prophet added, "Several people have told us, I agree with your position, but there's no way I can live and work in Alva, Oklahoma and be known to be in favor of a crop that can produce marijuana no matter how beneficial."

The demonstrators laughed when telling about several cowboys who showed up so their girlfriends could take pictures with them holding the hand-made signs.

Written By: Keary Prophet on May 7th 2007 There was a very low turnout of only 3 people at the protest this year despite my best efforts to get my community involved. After 5 months of preparation and hard work the protest in Alva didn't Last long.Thanks to what i feel was a major Violation of our Civil Rights by the Woods County Sheriffs Department. First a Sheriffs Deputy came over and said,"Get your things and get off the lawn now. You cant be on County Property,Get off the lawn and don't let me catch you on it again or i will arrest you" He was obviously angered at our presence.. He then took a poster down that I had regretfully placed on a peace of city property and started walking off with it,when i asked him if i could have it back he said, "its mine now" And about 45 minutes to an hour later Someone from the Woods County Commissioners Office came by along with another Sheriffs Deputy. They had a letter that stated we could not be on County Property without insurance.. Then the Sheriff Deputy told us we had to be at least 21 feet from the corners of the streets. I already felt violated by the fact the first officer stole my sign and said we couldn't be on the lawn. then to come at me with this bogus letter about insurance,and some crud about being 21 foot from the curb. It was all just a bunch of B.S. to snub us out and make it hard for us to protest.. I told the officer "we are just trying to have a peaceful protest and its the damn police that aren't being peaceful" So we went and talked to our Lawyer and found out that they indeed could not stop us from being on the lawn or from having our protest. He said if insurance was the issue then everyone who stepped on the lawn would have to have it,And our Right to protest laws we don't like is a protected Right.. we also have a Right to Free Speech.. I have two words that come to mind about this hole situation "TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION" "To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men. " -Abraham Lincoln

A small Marijuana Protest in Alva Oklahoma didn't last long due to the Sheriffs Department and a newly formed coalition calling its self the " Woods County Coalition" Who in an article in the local news paper vowed to "FIGHT" the planned marijuana Protest in Alva. And even listed the prior Drug Arrest Record of (Keary Prophet) the organizer of the protest in an attempt to smear his name and his credibility.. Alvas' Sheriffs Department was happy to assist the Woods County Coalition in the "FIGHT" to stop the Protest it seems. Trying every thing from telling the Protesters they could not be on the Courthouse Lawn and making them move to the sidewalk area then saying they had to be at least 21 feet away from the corner of the street,and then they produced a letter that said the Protesters had to have insurance coverage.. The Protesters Lawyer informed them there was no legality in the letter as far as he could tell and that the Sheriffs Department could not prevent them from protesting on the courthouse lawn..

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

After the May 2007 Protest in Alva Ok,

Local Coalition fights marijuana march planned for Alva

Local march organizer has drug arrest record

05/02/07
By Helen Barrett
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The Woods County Coalition which formed to fight substance abuse especially involving minors in the area learned of another planned marijuana march in Alva and Lawton this weekend.

Organizing the local marijuana march is Keary Prophet whose arrest record with the Woods County Sheriff's Department includes several drug-related offenses: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 2000 feet of a school; possession with intent to distribute; possession of paraphernalia; and public intoxication.

The Woods County Coalition opposes legalization of marijuana for a variety of reasons based on the following information:

• Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the nation.

• Of all youth ages 12-17 in drug treatment in the year 2000, 62 percent had a primary marijuana diagnosis.

• Marijuana contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarettes.

• In 2001 marijuana was a contributing factor in more than 110,000 emergency room visits.

• Users are four (4) times more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Many of the proponents of legalization of the drug cite the effects of the drug in treating nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy patients.

A medical form of the drug already exists in pill form, called Marinol which has been available to the public since 1985. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Marinol contains synthetic THC, the major psychoactive component of marijuana.

Since Marinol is in pill form, it does not produce the harmful health effects associated with smoking marijuana.

In pointing out the dangers of marijuana use, the Coalition states that marijuana affects many skills required for safe driving: alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination and reaction time. Its effects may last for up to 24 hours.

In addition, 40 percent of adult males tested positive for marijuana at the time of their arrest. The Woods County Coalition will meet again on May 21, 2007 from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Alva.

"Any and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend as we work toward building a healthier family oriented community," Cheryl Ellis R.N. said.

"At our meeting Monday, we discussed what our vision is for the group and came up with the following motto: "empowering our community to promote healthy lifestyles."