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free the pot hostages - demo this saturday

jv | 09.09.2005 18:23

UK says DEA Go Away: Protest launch

Stop the Cannabis Extraditions: America Bullies
Canadians

A 'protest' against attempted extraditions for
cannabis took place outside the U.S. & Canadian
Embassies today (8th Sep) in London.

This was a prelude to the main protest event planned
for London this Sat 10th Sep at Grosvenor Sq, London
W1. 2.-5pm.


The London demonstrations against the extradition of
three Canadians to the U.S. for selling cannabis
seeds, are part of protests taking place in 36 cities
worldwide.

A letter was also delivered to each Embassy for the
attention of the Ambassador. Text of the letters at
posted on our 'blog' at  http://www.newsoftheweed.com

Cannabis Education Research Trust (london):
 http://www.cannabistrust.com


full story ...

From : >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sent : 26 August 2005
To : >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Subject : Free the Pot Hostages - stop extraditions to US jails for cannabis users

Dear friends,

As you may know Marc Emery, the publisher of 'Cannabis
Culture Magazine' in Canada and a leading cannabis
campaigner has been arrested and (now on bail) faces
extradition to a US jail for cannabis 'offences'.

At very short notice, international protests about
this politically motivated abuse of extradition
treaties, plus the 'Bush War' on cannabis users
worldwide, have been organised all over the world for
September 10th 2005. Protest events are now confirmed
in 30 cities worldwide including London. Link to
cities listing end of text.

In London a 'Free the Pot Hostages' protest is being
organised outside the US and Canadian Embassies,
Grosvenor Sq, W1, 2pm - 5pm.

The main issue for cannabis users everywhere is the US
attempt to extradite non US citizens for cannabis
'offences' to face draconian penalties they would
never receive in their own countries. It could be
anywhere next.

Other issues are the US 'War on Drugs' and solidarity
with US medical cannabis users also facing extradition
to US prisons from Canada.

We hope you can help promote this event as time is
very short. Please forward this message to anyone you
think might be interested. We can also give you
printed flyers or you can download a pdf from the main
page at  http://www.cannabistrust.com

On FRIDAY 9th Sep there is a short lunchtime 'photo
opportunity' picket 1.30pm - 2.30. We will also
deliver letters of protest to both US & Canadian
governments. Please let us know if you can come to
this.

We hope you can come to one or both of these events,
bringing friends and good humoured protest energy.

Below is the flyer text which gives some more
information + links
..................................

Free The Pot Hostages - Stop the Extraditions to US
jails For Cannabis

PEACEFUL PROTEST outside Canadian and US Embassies,
Grosvenor Sq, London, W1. Sat 10 September 2005. Meet
in centre of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest
tube: Bond Street.

The United States is attempting to extradite Marc
Emery, editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine and two of
his colleagues from Canada for offences related to
supplying cannabis seeds by mail order.

Thease are minor charges in Canada, but if these
judicial kidnappings go ahead the Canadian 'pot
hostages' face draconian penalties in the US. Amnesty
International has described the US prison system as
'inhuman'. The Americans are attempting to do this in
Canada now - where next?

Marc Emery is a leading cannabis activist and magazine
publisher known internationally for his campaigning
work and has obviously been singled out for attention
for political reasons.

On Saturday 10th September a Global Solidarity Action
against these extraditions and the 'Bush War' on Drugs
is taking place with protests confirmed in over 25
countries so far.

In London a protest is being organised on Sep 10th in
Grosvenor Square, W1 which happens to be right in
between the Canadian and US Embassies. Join the
symbolic 'War on Drugs - Tug of War'! Be a 'DEA Agent'
or George Bush (US end) or a 'Cannabis Freedom
Activist' (Canadian end). It's your choice.

We will be advising the Canadian Government to retain
their legal independence and their sovereignty as an
independent nation and refuse these extraditions.
Canada has a good reputation in the world to uphold!
According to a recent public opinion survey, 58 per
cent of Canadians oppose Marc Emery's extradition to
the United States.

We are calling on the US government to stop taking
hostages in their failed 'War on Drugs' and end
cannabis prohibition now. Currently over 700,000
Americans are prosecuted in the USA just for marijuana
possession, costing over 10 billion dollars a year.
Under US law you can even face the death penalty for
large scale marijuana cultivation.

Despite their total failure, the US is still
attempting to export its drug policies worldwide
including Britain, with networks of DEA agents.
interfering in local politics and causing problems.
This seems to result in the increased use of heroin
and crack cocaine where ever they go.

The DEA's 'fundamentalist' drug policy stubbornly
flies in the face of scientific evidence, claiming
that cannabis has no therapeutic or nutritional value.
It is time they turned over a new leaf for the sake of
the American people, and people everywhere.

"They came for the cannabis users and I did not speak
out, and then they came for me, and there was no one
left to speak out for me".

Protest outside Canadian and US Embassies, Grosvenor
Sq, London, W1. Sat 10 September 2005. Meet in centre
of Square (small park). 2pm - 5pm. Nearest tube: Bond
Street.

More information about the case:
 http://newsoftheweed.blogspot.com/2005/08/global-demonstrations-planned-as-owner.html

World wide updated listing of cities taking part:
 http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/4494.html

jv