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On April 22nd, 2006 at 8 p.m., PhillyNORML's Third Annual Candlelight Vigil was held. This time it was a little different; we marched down Ben Franklin Parkway to City Hall for this year's event. Indeed this was a night to remember, for it rained the entire time! Yet no one backed down! No rescheduling! NO! Nothing was going to stop the intensity we felt.
For three years now, PhillyNORML and Universal Arts, Inc. have come together to form an alliance and again voice our support for "Medical Freedom" while we mourn the plight of medical cannabis patients both deceased and living, nation-wide.
...Our compassion for those in need will not cease...
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Upon arriving at City Hall we were pleased to find that the gates to the atrium were open.
Inside, we were able to shake off the cold and damp, dry ourselves off and begin passing around copies of the PhillyNORML brochures and Oaksterdam Newspapers we brought with us for the event.
Pictured here is William and Chris seconds before the gathering of these materials.
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After everyone had a copy in-hand, William rallied everyone to lend an ear while he read the names of everyone that agreed to light a candle in other states. Among these people (he made special note) was the managing editor of the newspaper they were holding, Jaime Galindo of the Oaksterdam News; who was at NORML's 2006 Convention in San Francisco, CA at that very moment.
He then added, "Before our speakers begin, I would like to finish my announcement with a very special person. This is Randy Webster of SF Patients' Cooperative, who goes beyond her call of duty by providing medicine on a daily basis to patients in need 'and free of charge for those that cannot afford it'! She is burning a candle today as well. Thank you!" |
Oddly enough, Dr. Richard Wallace, one of the speakers at our event, added to what William had said. Holding his California ID card (pictured here) that allows him to gain access to his medicine, further explained the "California Process" and confirmed how costly it is to buy medicinal cannabis.
This undoubtedly became the theme behind this years event and further solidified the need for caring people like Randy Webster. |
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Talking of caring people, we would now like to Thank the Sponsors of this event. Without them, this "Official Candlelight Vigil T-Shirt" would not have been possible.
NOTE: Sponsors (beyond ourselves) a first!
Special Thanks go to White Dog Cafe, Independence Brew Pub, AI Foundation, PhillyCar.Com, WONPR.org, and Earth Friendly Tech.
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As an added bonus to our Sponsors: "Our T-shirt" made it to NORML's 2006 Convention! (Above, left, is Steve Kubby standing next to PN's co-chairman "Rob" on the day of our event.)
Better Yet: Tommy Chong, pictured with Steve Kubby (above, right), has agreed to autograph the "PhillyNORML Candlelight Vigil T-shirt" when he comes to Philadelphia to perform with The Marijuana Logues on May 6th, at the Keswick Theatre! Furthermore, this autographed T-Shirt will be up for auction very soon! For info on the auction go to www.phillynorml.org |
When looking back on this evening, we are all very happy to have been able to make this year's event another success. (We're proud to be of service for such a worthy cause.) There was much more done in preparation this time around and we feel we accomplished many "Official Firsts"; Our first Event Sponsorship, first Candlelight Vigil T-Shirt, first Interstate Cell Phone Address (held during the event) and our very first After-Vigil Get-Together. |
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Vigil Speakers (left to right): William Haney, Nikolas Varrone, Dave Baker and Dr. Richard Wallace.
The following states that burned candles with us for this event are Alabama, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Making this event stretch coast to coast across America once again. We thank you all for your support and hope you will join us again next year!
For more information on PhillyNORML visit their web site at www.phillynorml.org
Candlelight Vigil 2004 • Candlelight Vigil 2005 • Candlelight Vigil 2006
click Here to go back to www.universalarts.net
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