NJWeedman's
Liberty Bell Temple II, Inc.
Raided by the LAPD
NJ to File Lawsuit in California Court
Celebrity Marijuana Attorney David Welch to Seek Justice on Ed Forchion's Behalf
On Wednesday, 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 local medical marijuana 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 Temple property, Forchion notes that the LAPD confiscated three pounds of medical marijuana, almost $7,000 of supplies and all the cash on the premises. The Temple staff was handcuffed and Forchion, alongside his partner, Shermonique Leyou, were arrested and jailed for the night.
Forchions contents that he isnt a medical marijuana dispensory but instead a incorporated Rastafarian Temple - a religious organization, with a mission statement to help medical marijuana patients obtain thier "natural herb". This COPPERY ( COP / ROBBERY ) was designed to put our Rastafarian Temple out of existance. Im just happy none of us were shot Forchion say's, "If its legal for the city to chose 170 dispensories to "provide medical marijuana" for sectarian values why is it illegal, wrong or in this case "in violation of a city code" for us to "provide marijuana spiritually". In fact there is a great U.S. Federal Court case that begun in New Jersey that I'm aware of that say's exactly that - If a law allows secular exemptions, governments must have a compelling reason for refusing religious exemptions. Lukumi, U.S. at 537. Thus , where a rule requiring police officers to be clean-shaven had an exemption for medically motivated beards. Lukumi required an exception for religiously motivated beards. See Fraternal Order of Police v. City of Newark 170 F. 3d 359, 366 (3rd Cir. ) cert denied 120 S. Ct. 56 ( 1999)
If the city was serving The Liberty Bell Temple II on a municipal code violation why did they also "seize the medical/spiritual marijuana and cash, amongst other things" without the constitutionally garantueed due process of a valid search warrant. Still now a week later the Police have not provided the Temple with a search warrant nor the affivadit required to obtain one. If we were a 7-11, Rite Aid, scientogoly center, synagogue, or christian church the city would not send battle-dressed cops with battering rams and shotguns to serve it. No cop or police agency would dare seize the 7-11's (southland corporations) product or cash. There was no need to send a squad of cops. Some city process server could have delivered this citation/summons, the u.s mail could have had me sign for it. This was a straight militarized ROBBERY by COP, under the guise of this new city ordianance. Seizures like this is what made the colonist revolt.
A self determined 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 medicinal 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 internationally media attention, publicly touting California as the forefront of what he perceives to be "the reefer revolution." The recent "unconstitutional raid" has not only saddened, but confused and angered 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 njweedman.com/LAPD_GROWROOM.html .
A week before on July 8th, a unknown trio of robbers attempted to tunnel into the TEMPLE and set off our alarm. The LAPD responded, and arrested a former temple member. As the hollywood LAPD robbery unit was investigating that robbery attempt case, the downtown Gang and Narcotics division robbed us!!!
"I left the restrictive confines of the state of New Jersey to enjoy a new found freedom here in California, "cites Forchion who is currently fighting another case in New Jersey ( njweedman.com/challenge.html ) after he was arrested on April 1 with a pound of cannabis in his car. "Per my now famous Hollywood Hemp Mansion Parties, I have been trying to live the life of a weed capitalist 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!"
"One of the nation's foremost authorities on marijuana law, Los Angeles attorney, David Welch will represent Ed Forchion against the city code violation he was charged with in Hollywood Superior Court as he seeks justice as well as filing a CIVIL RIGHTS (Religion) SUIT in California Superior Court. For more than a decade, since the onset of the reefer revolution that has occured in LA," Welch's top Los Angeles law firm has protected the rights of hundredss of medical marijuana defendants and is fighting to change laws that unfairly target and punish collectives.
DAVID WELCH quote here:
NJWeedman first achieved national 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 formed in 1998, Forchion has run campaigns for NJ Governor, U.S. Congress, the State Legislature, and the Burlington County Board of Freeholders in New Jersey.
His NJWeedman video series, filmed from the Liberty Bell Temple II and seen on his website libertybelltemple.com/Home.htm and at YouTube.com/newjerseyweedman, 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.
Purchase your copy of "Public Enemy #420" online at createspace.com/3425534 or at amazon.com or njweedmanpromotions.com .
To track his legal battles and support his defense fund, log on at njweedman.com
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After we watch the video of the whole day we spot the undercover officers who did this.
