Alva Oklahoma, Marijuana Protest

Archive
NOTE: These protests take place as part of the Global Marijuana March
www.globalmarijuanamarch.org
Our first Protest
In May of 2006 I (Keary Prophet) decided to put on the first ever protest
against marijuana laws
In the history of Alva Oklahoma.

It didn’t go to bad in my opinion. You can’t tell from the picture and
article below but
through out the day we probably had 10 or so protesters who came
and joined us.
Not bad for our first attempt!! It only took about 20 minutes for the
local press to show up.
Even our local Police Chief Arlo Darr couldn’t help but to stop and take
our picture.

I would like to thank Travis Foutch and Cullen Barham

For there bravery in stepping up to the plate with me.
It’s nice to know when the going gets tough that your
friends will be by your side. Thanks a million guys!!

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

After the May 2006 protest in Alva Ok,
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=348&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1183828&om=1

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.
This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier
After the May 2006 protest in Alva Ok,
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=348&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1183828&om=1
 Alva Oklahoma 2nd Annual Marijuana Protest
May 7th 2007
This time we made the local news paper before the protest ever broke way when we met
some local opposition from the newly formed “Woods County Coalition”
In the article below they make a grave attempt to smear Keary Prophets’ (me)
name by mentioning my prior arrest. Then they proceed to spew the same propagandist
claims that often come from the opposition of legalizing marijuana.
This is the article that appeared in the local paper just days before out protest.

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

Local march organizer has drug arrest record

05/02/07
By Helen Barrett
Email this story to a friend

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."

Continuing on to the protest

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
 This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier
May 8th 2007
We did however make the local paper once again..

I must say, it felt like the “Prophets” against the world this time around..

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier
 Alva Oklahoma, Marijuana Protest
May 3rd 2008
This time around we made the local paper a few times several weeks before the protest
ever took place.
I did not want a repeat of last year so I took a few extra steps to ensure there would be no
trouble with the local Law Enforcement.
The first order of business was getting our protest approved by the county
commissioners.

HERE IS MY ACCOUNT OF EVENTS LEADING UPTO THE PROTEST

Lets see what took place when I first tried getting my name put on the
“AGENDA”

Written by:Keary Prophet on Saturday, February 16, 2008

I went to talk to the County commissioners Office about the planned
Marijuana Protest here in Alva Oklahoma..
the man i talked to asked what kind of protest and i said, "Marijuana"
he said, "Wont happen"
so I said, "and you decide this?" he said, "No but the commissioners do and
they wont let it happen?
so I said," your going to deprive us of our rights to protest laws we don’t
like.. In the United States?" he said," we don’t agree with it but we can put
you on the agenda meeting but you will be denied"
so I told him I would just go talk to a lawyer.
he said "wait I can put you on our agenda" then I said, I have already been
put on the list for the agenda meeting. I'll see you Feb 28 at 10 am thank you
and have a great day" shook his hand and left..

so that’s what we are up against..

what I need you to do is call the Woods County commissioners Office
and request that they approve the Marijuana Protest for Saturday May 3rd
and ask them to make a note of your conversation...

that’s right a double protest is what it will take to get this going...

Thank you for your support and time. I hope to see you at the protest.
Please make that phone call now at: 580-327-2126
 The 1st meeting with the Commissioners
Feb 28 2008

Ok, I just got back from the meeting to put the Marijuana Protest on the
County agenda.. All n' all I think it went pretty well. To my surprise the
Commissioners did look over the information I handed each of them about
cannabis/hemp/marijuana..
And i do believe at least one of them was ready to approve the protest..
They turned to district attorney Brian Mitchell for his opinion and he
concluded that
they should take time and go over the information I provided and talk with
the Attorney General to seek his advice. The Commissioners agreed and will
set a hearing to continue with this agenda..
I will probably have to attend the next meeting to find out where they stand
and see if the Protest will be approved.

At this time I would like to encourage you to call the County Commissioners
Office and request the approval of the Marijuana Protest on Saturday May
3rd..
Please be polite and ask them to make a note of your conversation... 580-
327-2126

Below is the news paper article for my meeting with the Commissioners
Alva Protest 2008 - Alva Review Courier March 2nd 2008 Commissioners meeting

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

The 2nd meeting with the Commissioners

Two out of the three commissioners agreed to the protest.

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier

Note to Mike Goucher

“Im looking for your replacement”

Finally the May 3rd 2008 Protest

Ok, just let me start by thanking all who came and showed support and
helped make our signs and stood before our community proudly. You
guys don’t know how much i needed you not only to support the cause
but support my undying effort to inform our community about the
flawed and unconstitutional Marijuana laws .I had all but given up hope
anyone would show up and help with these effort, When the first
person arrived and told me more will be here in a little while. I was so
relieved!! I mean it when I say you guys and gals are a credit to the
community.
You’re the greatest. Thanks!!

As for the few who came from afar and decided maybe our efforts
weren't
good enough.. Well shame on you for not sticking around and making
our small crowd just a little bigger. You drove a long ways for nothing?
Why? Next year please just put your city on the list and have your own
protest. I think if you did that it would gather plenty of attention and
get your community informed and evolved or at least instill thoughts
into there minds that maybe these laws are unjust and
unconstitutional. It’s just something to think about. No hard feeling
here guys!! I understand maybe you expected something bigger or
more exiting and that’s Ok I understand.

People of my community...
What the heck happened? Are you not convinced yet these laws need
to be changed? or that we need to protect our sick and dying? Maybe
you don’t believe marijuana is medicine. Maybe you don’t care that
hemp can save our planet and reverse greenhouse effects. Maybe you
like being slaves to Dupont, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals and the
Oil and Gas Industries. So what message would you rather send the
rest of the community that building prisons is cool with you and locking
non-violent criminals up is good for Society .Your cool with the
outrageous gas prices and Global Warming, the violation of our Civil
Rights on a mass scale. .Of course all this is just an assumption but
what do you expect? Maybe A Girl Scout Cookie? Or pat on the back for
leaving your fellow countrymen hanging in our most desperate time of
need? You all should be ashamed of yourselves!!! As far as I’m
concerned your non action in this time of need is completely Un-
American .What happened to the Land of the Free and the Home of the
Brave?

On another note,
I think we did great things Saturday despite the odds. We had a lot of
people giving us the thumbs up, taking our pictures, Honking for
Hemp, and a few came and got some information about
 cannabis/hemp/marijuana One lady even asked if we were taking
donations..
We didn’t make the paper this year but that’s probably because I have
been in it a few times in the last couple months. Getting this protest
approved by our Commissioners was a big step forward and that got
some attention from the press. Then in an attempt to get the word out
about the upcoming protest and Oklahoma medical marijuana laws I
wrote a letter to the editor which got printed the next day and just 2 or
3 day before the protest..
Maybe they thought I was getting a little too much attention on this
issue.

Anyways thanks again to all who came out!! Contact Us

This is my letter to the Editor just days before the protest.

This article appeared in the Alva Review Courier
 Plans for the 4th Annual Protest Against Marijuana Laws

In Alva Oklahoma May 2009

The plans for this event are still underway

But it looks like we will be holding this event on

Friday May 8th 2009

I’m planning on gathering in the Alva City Park.

From there we will march down Flynn St. too

The Courthouse Where we will march

Around the square a couple of times.

From there we will head up to the Blvd.

And then head up to 14th St. and back to the City Park.

I plan on having some entertainment for us when we get back..

You can find more information at: www.potforfreedom.com

Or www.myspace.com/alvaprotest

If you would like to help plan and organize this event or if you are a band
interested in playing at the event please contact me here:
keary@potforfreedom.com

Please insert Alva Protest into the subject line. Thanks!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Oklahoma Marijuana Challenge

 2009
This is my challenge for Oklahoma.

I‘m challenging Oklahoma to get 20 cities on the Global Marijuana

March list for May 2009

That means I need you to put your city on the

list and organize a protest in your city.

You can put your city on the list at:

www.globalmarijuanamarch.org

WHO ON THE AS OF NOW?

Cities that have taken the challenge

Alva Oklahoma
Lawton Oklahoma
Tulsa Oklahoma

Put your city on the list at

www.globalmarijuanamarch.org

For more information about the challenge please go to:

http://potforfreedom.com/oklahomachallenge.html

or

www.potforfreedom.com