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Hollywood, CA - On
Tuesday, July 14, 2010, Ed Forchion aka NJWeedman reports
he was robbed at gunpoint by the Los Angeles Police Department in his Liberty
Bell Temple. The Liberty Bell Temple, located at 5642 Hollywood
Blvd, is a Rastafarian Temple that services the needs of The Rastafarian
Community. Not listed among a posting of medical marijuana
dispensaries subject to recent closure, Forchion states he was falsely
charged with a misdemeanor city code (LAMC - 45.19.6.7) for failing to
cease operations. Noting that nothing in the code calls for a seizure
of property, Forchion reveals that the LAPD confiscated three pounds of
medical marijuana, almost $7,000 of supplies and all the cash on the
premises.
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Liberty Bell
Temple Raid
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The Temple staff was
handcuffed and Forchion, alongside his partner, Shermonique Leyou, were
arrested and jailed. Forchion, who is represented by Attorney David Welch
from D|R Welch Attorneys at Law P.C. has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles
Superior alleging deprivation of the right to practice Rastafari without
due process of law. The defendant is also seeking a court order
preventing authorities from interfering with their ability to operate their
temple.
A self proclaimed
exile, activist and former political prisoner, Forchion originally
relocated to California just a few years ago to enjoy the benefits of the
state's more relaxed marijuana laws, per the passage of the Prop. 215
Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and SB420. Better known as NJWeedman,
the celebrity activist has received international media attention, publicly
touting California as the forefront of what he perceives to be "the
reefer revolution." The recent raid has not only saddened, but
confused him. Only months ago, the same Los Angeles Police Department
was instrumental in securing his grow room operation back from a landlord
who tried to steal his plants http://njweedman.com/LAPD_GROWROOM.html
.
"I left the
restrictive confines of the state of New Jersey to enjoy a new found
freedom here in California, "Per my now famous Hollywood Hemp Mansion
Parties, I have been trying to live a good life and leave behind my days of
activism, but this new assault on my rights now leaves me no choice but to
battle coast to coast!"
"If the city
was serving The Liberty Bell Temple on a municipal code violation why did
they also seize the medical/spiritual marijuana and cash, amongst other
things without the constitutionally guaranteed due process of a valid
search warrant?" asks Forchion. "The Police
have still not provided the Temple with a search warrant, nor the affidavit
required to obtain one. If we were a 7-11, Rite Aid, Scientology
center, Synagogue, or Christian church the city would not send
battle-dressed cops with battering rams and shotguns. This was straight
militarized robbery by cops, under the guise of this new city ordinance."
Medical marijuana
attorney, David Welch Esq. and his firm, D|R Welch Attorneys at Law P.C.
are recognized for providing aggressive and knowledgeable
representation in all areas of the medical marijuana law throughout Los
Angeles, Orange County, and other Southern California communities.
"During the
raid on Liberty Bell Temple II on July 14, 2010, the police made
threatening remarks in an attempt to chill the practice of Rastafari by the
members of Liberty Bell Temple II," cites Welch. "These
acts are a clear violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the
California Constitution. We will seek an injunction by the courts to
prevent further police activity against the members of Liberty Bell Temple
II and their practice and congregation in their Rastafarian faith."
When discussing the
religious use of marijuana Forchion cites, "I don't think our
Liberty Bell Temple or any Rastafarian Temple is any different than the UDV
Church - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzales_v._O_Centro_Espirita_Beneficente_Uniao_do_Vegetal).
Members of the UDV Church use a substance called Hoasca, Rastafarains use
substance called "marijuana."
The UDV Church
realized a landmark Federal ruling when it was determined in the case
Gonzales vs. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal that the
Federal Government's seizure of their sacramental tea, which contained a
Schedule I substance was in fact illegal and a violation permitted under
the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Seagram heir and UDV
Church member, Jeffrey Bronfman funded the case to the Supreme Court.
NJWeedman first
achieved cult status and media notoriety when he was arrested for smoking
the sacred herb in front of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA. As one of
the most prominent figures in the medical marijuana movement, Forchion is
continually fueling his advocacy. As the founder of the Legalize Marijuana
Party of New Jersey in 1998, Forchion has run campaigns for Governor, Congress,
the State Legislature, and the Burlington County Board of Freeholders in
New Jersey.
Forchion's activism
has led him to appearances in documentaries including "How Weed Won
the West," and Jack Herer's "The Emporor's Wears No
Clothes", Spike TV's "10,000 Ways to Die," and
he has been featured regularly on TMZ.
His NJWeedman's
video series, filmed from the Liberty Bell Temple and seen on his website
http://www.libertybelltemple.com/Home.htm and at YouTube.com,
commands a following of viewers from around the world. He regularly updates
his footage with vivid coverage of the happenings at the Temple, including
specials on the vast varietals of medicinal marijuana he was able to serve
up legally, daily to his patients.
In addition, his
memoirs, "Public Enemy #420" is chock full of amazing statistics
about the "politricks" of marijuana as well as the page turning
adventures of his life. From his early days of trafficking marijuana, to
his legal battles with the state officials in New Jersey, his months behind
bars and finally his sojourn to sunny California, Ed Forchion 's live is a
real life tale of "high" drama.
In an effort to
raise money for his defense fund, Forchion is hosting a "Fundraiser
Fish Fry" every Friday at the Liberty Bell Temple at 5642 Hollywood
Blvd., along with his regular Reggae Night Jam every Monday at the
Blu Monkey lounge, located at 5521 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, CA.
To view the police
raid at Liberty Bell Temple, go to http://www.vimeo.com/13428078.
.
To track NJWeedman's
legal battles, support his case and contribute to his defense fund, log on
at www.njweedmanpromotions.com.
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