Emergency Response to DEA Raid on Patient Collective in Riverside County, CA

On Tuesday, March 14, in a cruel act of harassment and intimidation DEA agents, along with Riverside County Sheriff's officers, raided a small medical marijuana collective grow outside of Palm Desert, California.

When the DEA knocked on the door, patient Gary Silva went to open it. DEA agents proceeded to kick in the door, dislocating Gary's shoulder and causing lacerations to his face. Gary uses medical marijuana for degenerative disk disease and nerve damage. He is currently being treated in the emergency room of a local hospital.

Agents confiscated fewer than 80 plants and dry medicine, which were grown for several patient collective members. Patient records and equipment were also seized. No arrests were made. DEA agents repeatedly told Gary that they would not be charging him, and that he would only be charged if he grew again.

Activists nationwide responded quickly to this DEA raid, organizing at least 22 actions in 11 states on March 16:

Austin, TX
Bellingham, WA
Cleveland, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Eugene, OR
Houston, TX
Kansas City, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Missoula, MT
Oakland, CA
Palm Springs, CA
Portland, OR
Reno, NV
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC

Activists nationwide protested in solidarity with patients in Riverside County, calling for the DEA to keep their hands off our medicine! All of the events were successful, with great turnout, and media coverage in Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle.

A special thanks to all the ASA activists who stepped forward to organize these actions on such short notice.

Stories & Pictures from Emergency Response Actions on March 16th

Seattle:

Report from Washington….

The weather was terrible in Seattle today, but we had fifteen volunteers that showed up at rush hour (4 PM) in the pouring, and blowing, rain. Members of CannaCare/ASA showed up despite the terrible traffic and absolutely miserable weather.

The usual Homeland Security detail was totally absent. We had already given a heads up to the Seattle Police who did send 8-10 officers who never harassed us and basically stayed well away from us.

I was questioned by someone in plain clothes who didn’t identify himself and I can only assume that he was DEA. He got the same information as all the other passers-by and left us alone…after several cell phone calls.

Numerous Federal employees were happy to accept ASA brochures, as were passers-by.

I really want to thank those who showed up to brave the weather in Seattle, but I have a special thanks that needs to go out to Stacey Pugmire in Bellingham, Washington. Stacey contacted me just before we were headed out the door, wanting to know what he could do. It was a little late for us to provide him any support. He went “solo” in Bellingham and she deserves special mention here in Washington.

We had TV coverage from KIRO and KOMO, but I’m told that KING TV also filmed the demonstration.

I hope everyone else had a positive response today!

Steve Sarich
CannaCare


Bellingham:

Well we had some success up here in Bellingham. I was overwhelmed by the support of the great people here. Even as the rain fell they still took the time to talk and sign the petition sheets. A total of 53 signatures in all.

But to my surprise was the times when 2 different folks came up that were medically approved by the state, and how thankful they were for the action that we have under taken this day. A very satisfying day for me as well.

Thanks again for leting me help.

Stacey K. Pugmire


Los Angeles:

We had 35 people out at today's protest in downtown LA. We were greeted by Homeland Security ~ Federal Protective Services upon arrival. I asked them how
they heard of the protest and they replied they had intel on everything.

We had media coverage from 2 radio stations, KPFK and KFWB. One television station came out, Channel 54, a spanish news station.

Thanks to everyone for all their work and guidance on this action.

Amanda Brazel
LA County Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access


Portland:

Eight activists showed up in Portland. I made signs that said,"DEA, Stop arresting medical marijuana patients", and "Marijuana is Meidicine, Stop arresting patients."

I handed out a few flyers till I was informed by the federal cop that handing out leaflets on federal property (within the pollards) is illegal.

Highlight of the day for me was getting a thumbs up from a Portland police officer driving by.

Thank you to all theOregonians who participated on such short notice. Thanks you ASA for taking the lead on responding to the DEA.

John Sajo
Voter Power


Dallas:

Our protest was a success, we went through alot with "The Department of Homeland Security", three cars showed up, and asked me if I had a permit, I said no, that we did not need one, then two more cars show up, and they come out of the Federal building and tell me I can't do it on Federal property, which is a new one to me, being that we have already previously protested there twice! I argued for about ten seconds with them, and then we went across the street from the building. I took a picture of all the Homeland security in front of the Federal Building, then one of the officers comes across the street and tells me that it is against the law to take pictures of the Federal Building, and of them I guess, so I had to delete the picture! During all of this, we still managed to get attention (if not more because of all the police) and pass out the fliers you sent to me to copy. Thank you for the opportunity!

Ryan Rodriguez
Dallas/Fort Worth NORML


Denver:

We just completed our Denver Protest. There were about a dozen activists, including a number of patients. Several media outlets covered the event and we will be featured on several TV shows tonite including Fox 31 News (9pm), WB News (Ch. 2 at 9pm), and Univision (5 or 6pm).

Hope all the other protests went well.

Brian Vicente
Sensible Colorado


Austin:

We had a total of nine people attend the protest in front of the Federal building in Austin today. We

handed out the ASA flyers, answerered peoples questions and urged them to contact their Senators.

Thanks,

Noelle Davis
Texans for Medical Marijuana