Call for 7/19: Nationwide Vigils to Honor Steve McWilliams

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

Steve McWilliams was an incredibly kind, compassionate, intelligent and
wise man, as well as a balls to the wall activist.

Steve committed suicide by overdose on Tuesday morning. Steve had been
depressed and in terrible pain, and been hospitalized as late as last
week. Steve's depression was apparently due to a combination of factors
including dreadful thoughts about the possibility of going to jail in
light of Raich and his deteriorating health. He was taking powerful
pharmaceutical opiates, anti-nausea, anti-migraine, etc. drugs in far
higher amounts than when he was when he able to medicate with
marijuana. Evidently, these were the substances he used to overdose.

Join us in memoriam of a life-long activist and patient.
*
What: Vigils to honor Steve McWilliams, patient, caregiver & activist

When: Tuesday evening, July 19, 2005

Where: In cities nationwide*
*
Who: You! We are calling on patients and advocates nationwide to
organize these vigils in your hometown. If you are planning on holding
one, email rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org or call 510-251-1856 and we will
send you visual and text materials to hand out.*


Steve was a long-time medical marijuana activist. He was a member of the
task force that pushed for San Diego medical marijuana guidelines, and
he ran a patient's collective, Shelter from the Storm, that had been
officially recognized by the city of San Diego as legal and in
compliance with state law.

In September 2002, Steve led a public handout of medical marijuana to
patients at San Diego City Hall. After this, the US Attorney warned
Steve to destroy his marijuana garden or face prosecution. Later that
week, Steve's small garden that served a few seriously ill patients was
raided by the DEA. Steve was arrested in October and charged with
growing 20 plants. He plead guilty, knowing that he would not be able to
present a medical marijuana defense in federal court.

Steve was sentenced to six months and released pending appeal but denied
access to marijuana.

Steve passed away on July 12, 2005. He will be sorely missed by all.

-------------------------

We are also asking supporters to write letters to Steve's partner,
Barbara MacKenzie. Her address is:

4763 Wilson Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116

--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
(510) 251-1856
http://www.safeaccessnow.org