Re: WEEDSTOCK '93

Ben Masel (bmasel@igc.apc.org)
Wed, 12 May 1993 05:49:55 -0700 (PDT)

Dane County officials have filed in Circuit Court requesting an
injunction to bar the Weedstock festival scheduled for Memorial
Day weekend on a farm outside Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

The county claims the event would violate the "exclusive
agricultural" zoning of John "generic" Broderick and Marnie Matt's
52 acre farm. Matt, Broderick, and Wisconsin NORML, sponsors of
the benefit concert will be contesting the proposed injunction as
a violation of the State and Federal Constitution's guarantees of
the right to speech and assembly, motivated by county official's
dislike of the views to be expressed. Several of these same county
officials have held campaign fundraisers on farms. A trial date
will be set tomorrow.

Ironically, the farm, purchased from the family of a Dane County
Deputy Sheriff, was overgrown with thousands of ditchweed plants
when the couple moved in, and they have discovered a means of
erradication considerably more effective than any used by law
enforcement agencies. It seems young hemp sprouts are a favorite
food for the goats they graze.

WEEDSTOCK IS NOT CANCELLED!!

An injunction if issued will be vigorously appealed. If a valid
court order is ultimately issued barring use of the Broderick
farm, plans "B" and "C" are in place. Attendance in any event is
limited to 4,999. Advance Tix $25 a head check or money order to
WEEDSTOCK, POB 3481, Madison, WI 53704, or show up early.

Parking is limited, so we are chartering a shuttle from Madison,
departing regularly from the UW Memorial Union, and hopefully from
an as yet to be found satelite parking area. Watch this space for
further details.

Ironically, the farm, purchased from the family of a Dane County
Deputy Sheriff, was overgrown with thousands of ditchweed plants
when the couple moved in, and they have discovered a means of
erradication considerably more effective than any used by law
enforcement agencies. It seems young hemp sprouts are a favorite
food for the goats they graze.

At last year's Weedstock police set a surveillance team on an
opposite hillside. I once read a wonderful short story called "The
Sun War," (sincerely wishing I could credit the Author here,)
featuring the use of a large number of handheld mirrors to
concentrate sunlight. Please bring mirrors.

Ben Masel, WI State Director, NORML (National Organization to
Reform Marijuana Laws)

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