From: [j t heo] at [ix.netcom.com] (Ted ) Newsgroups: alt.hemp,alt.psychoactives,rec.drugs,rec.drugs.psychedelic Subject: GAINESVILLE HEMP RALLY Date: 11 Dec 1995 02:12:41 GMT Congratulations to the Florida Legalization Organization and the rest of the Gainesville Hemp community for putting on yet another successful rally! Highlights included local music plus speakers: Jack Herer, Lynn Osborn, Elvy Musikka, Michael Geison, Kevin Aplin and the Cannabis Action Network, plus many other regional speakers. The Gainesville group had to challenge the city to get their permit and they won. This cost the city about $20,000 in court costs, so needless to say, the local authorities were not pleased. Since this was a permited event, the city was nice enough to offer police protection for the rally. Apparently the city thought we were in a lot of danger as they supplied at least 60 peace officers to watch over our well being. Mind you, this rally took place in a square of about 75x75 yards and there were approximately 300 spectators in this space at any given moment. Basically, you couldn't sneeze without bumping heads with one of them. And boy, did they dress to impress! All decked out in their uniforms and 9 mm's and for that added touch, black leather gloves! Some even wore their bullet proof vests. The chief honored us with his presence as well, dressed smartly in a black turtle neck, black leather gloves and a pair of chicken shit sunglasses to complete his ensemble. Of course, everyone was well behaved as is always the case for this rally. There were only 4 arrests that I know of, one of which was South Florida's own beloved Elvy Musikka! That's right! One of eight people with permission from the "fed-rul guv-ment" to smoke marijuana medicinally and the city of Gainesville decides to arrest her for smoking MJ! Her lawyers are in gear already, so this should mean even more legal headaches for Gator town. The notorious "doobie toss" did not go down this year. Instead, special brownies were clandestinely given out throughout the day. Alleged doobie tosser "Merley" had plenty of fun with the boys in blue anyway. (taunts, teases, etc.) All in All, GREAT RALLY! As Michael Geison says, Marijuana is legal in Florida, some people just don't know it yet. Amen Michael, Amen.