What Do I Want for Christmas? FREE NJ WEEDMAN! #FREENJWEEDMAN

Donations needed.  Also send letters of support and thanking
Ed Forchion aka NJ Weedman for his successful leadership
of a movement to legalize cannabis in NJ!

#FREENJWEEDMAN

When bail reform was moving forward in the State of NJ, Peoples Organization for Progress issued a statement critically supporting the measures.  One of the points that POP called to be assured in the process is:

“It must authorize the release of low risk individuals under the least restrictive conditions possible.”

Two years later it is apparent that this POP concern has not been addressed and the perfect example proving as much is the holding of Ed Forchion, aka NJ Weedman, without bail. 

Ed Forchion is being held – now for about 9 months – initially for two charges, 2^nd and 3^rd degree witness tampering.  Based on those charges, the prosecution was able to convince the judge in the case that he should not be entitled to bail.  Then on November 16 the jury returned not guilty on the 2^nd degree charge and was a hung jury – meaning it did not reach a decision – on the 3^rd degree charge.  

However instead of immediately offering a bail option when Mr. Forchion was exonerated of the more serious charge – the judge scheduled a hearing and then decided that NJ Weedman should continue to be held.  And the judicial used the opportunity to add more time to the 6 month time line that is supposed to be enforced to guarantee a speedy trial for those who are denied the options to either be released on recognizance or be offered a cash bail option.

Ed Forchion, NJ Weedman is the poster child for what is wrong with the bail reform that was implemented in NJ.  He is being denied the right to speedy trial and is incarcerated without conviction.  Clearly NJ Weedman has been one of the most outspoken advocates to legalize cannabis in the state of NJ – an accomplishment that looks like soon will be a reality at least in some form.

The legalization of cannabis in NJ will hopefully reduce drastically the rampant onslaught by police, prosecutors and the judicial – aimed at otherwise innocent cannabis consumers and merchants – currently NJ arrests well over 20,000 residents a year!  Many are forced to undergo unnecessary “treatment” for their punishment.  These arrests enrich police, attorneys, prosecutors, corrections officers and judges who make a significant part of thelr living from cannabis law enforcement.  In 2014 according to an ACLU report, NJ was spending $127 million per year on cannabis law enforcement – an expenditure that likely has increased given the ratcheting up of the arrest counts.

Personally  - as far as bail goes – I think the part of the reform that allows indigent arrestees to be released is an asset but I was always nervous about the use of the provision that allows the criminal justice system to hold those without bail for somewhat arbitrary reasons.  

Ed Forchion was not arrested for any violent offense – he was exonerated on the heavier charge and not convicted on the lighter charge.  A vindictive prosecutor – instead of dropping the ill fated prosecution – has decided to press on – and the judge has agreed to continue to hold the supposed “innocent until proven guilty” Ed Forchion month after month.

It is now almost Christmas.  NJ owes a debt of gratitude to NJ Weedman, to Ed Forchion, since he had a major role to play in rallying the state of NJ toward legalization – some such rallies which I have attended and one I even spoke at. 

I know Ed as a friend – I do not always agree with his antics – but that’s ok – many people do not agree with my political activist style either.  However – I recognize an injustice and a crime against NJ being committed by Trenton, by the prosecution and by the judge.

If you ask me what I want for Christmas – I would tell you – FREE NJ WEEDMAN!  I also call upon the incoming Governor Murphy to – upon assuming office – immediately pardon Ed Forchion of all charges and release political prisoner number 420!

Also - please sign petition calling for immediate moratorium on cannabis prohibition enforcement:

https://www.change.org/p/governor-elect-phil-murphy-demand-immediate-nj-moratorium-on-cannabis-prohibition-law-enforcement

More about the case:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1783304251703772&id=100000726429991

E-mail to Ed Forchion (messages will be sent to him): Edforchion@yahoo.com Please click this twitter link and RETWEET:

What Do I Want for Christmas? #FREENJWEEDMAN https://t.co/pzOEQRcVkW Please RT

— Bob Witanek (@bwitanek) December 21, 2017

Fascist Signs Must Not Stand for 5 Minutes - New Brunswick or Any Where

Joe Xtarr worked with a team to remove the nazi signs that were hanging in New Brunswick since the day after Thanksgiving according to one Facebook user account. Please contact him through Facebook to see about a team for nazi sign removal in New Brunswick - or elsewhere - since he and his colleagues took care of it to night. I was geared up for the weather and ready to go join them but according to Joe they found only about 8 signs along George Street. He did not check the side streets so please keep an eye out anywhere in New Brunswick or any where else. If you see signs, contact Joe or you can text me 908-881-5275 to see about getting them cleaned up. You can also e-mail to cnjgdc@protonmail.com for anonymous tips and leads. That is the contact e-mail address for the Central New Jersey General Defense Committee of the IWW (International Workers of the World aka Wobblies(.

WD40 or Rubbing Alcohol could be needed
ro break down the glue.

Get a wood puddy scrape knife and throw it in your glove compartment or pack. The signs were glue adhered. The nazis were probably watching for days as everyone tried to claw them down with their finger nails. They probably were even filiming it - that would be my guess. But if you have a puddy knife handy - - zip zoot bye bye nazi sign. That's how Joe and his team took care of them.

If you see the signs and do not have time or resources to get rid of them - contact Joe - through Facebook, above - you can contact me (Bob Witanek) thru Facebook or 908-881-5275 - call / text.

That goes for anywhere else. The nazi signs have to come down as soon as they go up and if we catch them - we have to get a team to prevent them from putting them up or to remove them immediately.

They should not be permitted to by the community to post those signs. This is not to me a police issue but a community issue. You go to the cops with it and they will spend more time investigating you than the fascists.

But NJ here to forward - these signs can not stand 5 minutes! UPDATE: December 7, 2017 Univision has been in contact and they want to do a story next time these signs show up in NJ so if you see the signs, pleaese call 201-852-7716 (Bill Tipacti)