HILO - A new Rally and March in support of Rev. Roger Christie has been planned for Wednesday, September 22, 2010 in Hilo.
Christie was arrested by federal agents on July 8, 2010, along with 13 members of his congregation. All of the “Green 13” — as they are known locally — have been released on bond. But Christie himself was denied bail and remains behind bars at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center (FDC) awaiting trial next year on Marijuana Trafficking charges.
In July, US Federal District Court Judge Alan Kay in Honolulu supported the prosecutor’s claims that Christie represents a “danger to the community”.
In August, the U.S. Ninth District Court of Appeals in San Francisco summarily denied Christie’s appeal without a review.
“Roger Christie’s incarceration without bail and before trial is shocking and unjust,” said Hilo attorney Paul Sulla. “It is intended to drive fear into the public debate over the de-criminalization of the cannabis plant. ”
Sulla is one of Directors of the Cannabis Charity Education and Defense Fund, or CCEDF, the organizer of the March and Rally.
“After the appeal of the bail decision was denied,” Sulla told Hawaii News Daily. “The US Attorney’s Office next requested a continuance of the trial date on the grounds that the case against Christie was a ‘complex trial’ necessitating more time to prepare. The court then granted the prosecution another 7 months to prepare for trial without addressing the release of Christie during this extended period.”
Christie and the Green 13’s trial has now been re-scheduled for April 26, 2011 in Honolulu, a 50 minute plane flight from Christie’s home turf in Hilo.
The cost of Christie’s incarceration at the FDC was reported to be $150 per week, or $600 per month for such necessities such as telephone, fax, and email privileges — and to purchase healthy meals and for other necessities from the prison commissary. Because Christie has been jailed before trial, his ability to mount an effective defense has been substantially impaired. Many of these costs are associated with Christie’s ability to communicate with witnesses and gather information to mount his defense while being held without bail.
A previous march and rally for Christie sponsored by the group was held in Hilo on August 18. That event drew a crowd of 200, according to KITV in Honolulu.
Last week, members and guests of the Cannabis Charity met in Hilo to plan the next rally and to address the conditions surrounding Christie’s continued incarceration.
Members of board expected the turn-out for the next Rally to increase on public outrage and indignation over Christie’s continued confinement before trial — now exceeding 60 days.
Sulla said Christie’s plight was within the charter of the Cannabis Charity to assist those in need on account of their criminal prosecution for medical, religious or adult private use and/or cultivation of the cannabis plant.
“We can help Roger,” Said Paul Sulla. “Our group was formed to help people who are criminally in peril as a result their private personal use and/or cultivation of the cannabis plant and its derivatives. The public through CCEDF can do something to help defray Roger’s out of pocket legal costs while he is incarcerated and we intend to follow through with this support as long as it is needed.”
Sulla said the theme of next March and Rally will be to “Get Up, Stand Up for Your Rights.”
“The approach of the CCEDF is to align with existing cannabis churches, support groups, politicians and the supporting citizens to increase awareness of the real medical and social benefits of the cannabis plant,” said Sulla. “The Cannabis plant is sacred to many, and the criminalization of its use is not the answer. This is a public health concern — not a matter for criminal courts.”
The Rally for Roger Christie will be held in Hilo at the Mooheau gazeebo on September 22, beginning at 3pm, followed by a march beginning around 4:30pm.
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For more information, visit cannabischarity.org. or call 808-430-3924.
- To learn more about the case visit: https://the-last-marijuana-trial.com.
- Case documents are located here: https://the-last-marijuana-trial.com/court-documents/
David
on Sep 12th, 2010
@ 3:30 am:
September 21, 2010 is international day of peace. Perhaps we may coordinate efforts. Maybe we could email each other a little and see if loving wisdom in action may work within a prayer frame work.
A vedic peace invocation:
Om Dyauh Shantir,
Antariksham Shantih,
Prthivi Shantir,
Apah Shantir,
Oshadhaya Shantih,
Vanaspatayah Shantir,
Visve Deva Shantir,
Brahma Shantih,
Sarvam Shantih,
Shantir Eva Shantih,
Sa Ma Shantir Edhi,
Om Shantih,
Shantih
Shantih
Om
Sometimes it’s nice to sing ancient songs along to such music as “The Grateful Dead” with such albums as ‘Blues for Allah’ or “David Bowie” with the soundtrack ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ or his other album “Heathen” even if you happen to have a Ukulele. I guess we dance a little different when we are afraid and 9/11 is a (shock doctrine) time when many of us may question a role of fear mongering and fear politics and bullying by brainless flying monkeys of some witch and some wizard of oz but that’s okay because the time is coming when Bhang, Cannabis, Hemp will be decriminalized and utilized as a tool to help clean up mother earth from all the pollution and lies that have been going on to long. It appears to be God’s intention to assist the common woman to have an organic means to food, medicine, clothes, fuel, paper, canvas, shelter and all sustainable and ecologically friendly.
I love the people and culture of Hawaii. The Goddess Pele and the surfing culture are so key and critical to the skateboarding culture that I love so dearly… well maybe not some drama mama archetype but isn’t it nice when we transcend the chaos into rapture and grace? The music is such a wonderful celebration of the culture as well (I love my ukulele and hope to visit Hawaii again… it is so beautiful).
May Roger Christie be liberated and for this to be the last Marijuana Trial. May it all be cleared up with a declaration from the Nobel Peace Prize President Obama on the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2010.
Merrie
on Sep 12th, 2010
@ 9:51 pm:
Last week MAGNUS ALLUMANATI (MA) A SOVEREIGN ENTITY SENT TO ROGER AND HIS LAWYER A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IN A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS TO DECLARE THAT ROGER AND THIRTEEN DEFENDANTS WERE CITIZENS OF MAGNUS ALLUMANATI. I send love to Roger and know that he will soon be released and all charges dropped against 13 of the 14 defendants. (MA) has the power to do this. Love to all MCB
Paul J. von Hartmann
on Sep 14th, 2010
@ 12:32 pm:
Has anyone gone to see and/or written to Mayor Lingle yet? The following is my open Letter to the Editor of the major Hawaiian newspapers.
Kanaka Haole
Mayor Lingle is sworn to uphold both State and Federal Constitutions, regardless of who violates them. In addition to the fact that the federal government is extralegally abusing one of the most peaceful cultural leaders of Hawaii, the fact that due process and the Constitution are being subverted in Honolulu ought to be cause for involvement at the State level.
Failure to act in defense of national security is a “misprision of treason.” Failing to act in effecting freedom for Reverend Roger Christie will mean political credibility lost, as the true, “strategic” value of Cannabis is revealed after seventy-three years of bald-faced lies about the world’s most valuable agricultural resource.
For well over twenty years, Reverend Roger Christie has been openly and proudly teaching what is finally being reported in the mainstream media. The many benefits of Cannabis make Roger’s leadership more credible than the bankrupt regime that hold him in prison.
May the incarceration of Roger Christie somehow build strength and resolve in a real and immediate way. I sense from his personal communications that the experience is amplifying his own understanding of the dimensions of his inspiring contribution to the world’s oldest global culture. I celebrate the style and grace with which Roger personifies many admirable characteristics of the Cannabis plant itself.
I envision his release from prison will come this week.
I see much hemp in our common future, and Roger is celebrated
Governor Linda Lingle
Constituent Services
State Capitol, Room 415
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813
Phone: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222
Fax: (808) 586-0019
Governor’s Office
Phone: 808 586-0034
Fax: 808 586-0006
Contact Constituent Services:
https://cs.ehawaii.gov/gov-ors/welcome.html
Roz Makāula, Constituent Services Manager
State Capitol, Room 415
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
Phone: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222
Fax: (808) 586-0019
http://hawaii.gov/gov/governor
Gabriel
on Sep 14th, 2010
@ 11:39 pm:
I am a proud Ministry member here in Los Angeles California. I fully support Roger Christie and know without a doubt the truth shall set him free!! It’s a Plant! It’s a Plant! It’s not a drug. it’s not manufactured. it’s grown! It’s from God’s Green Earth! It heals you! you can eat it! it’s a Plant!
dee
on Oct 4th, 2010
@ 8:23 pm:
roger christie should have known he would be arrested for his behavior with regard to marijuana.
hawaii is hell on those who are not hawaiian and are successful or stand for something
there is so much hate, hopelessness and poverty here that i am sorry i ever became a property owner
now the government is trying to break christie $600 a month to be incarcerated is indeed criminal