PROTESTORS CRY: FREE JAILED CANNABIS
CAMPAIGNER CHRIS
Source:
Worthing Herald, UK
Pub
Date: Thursday 22nd January 2004
Subj:
Protesters Cry: Free Jailed Cannabis Campaigner Chris
Author:
Emily Bridges
Web: http://www.worthingtoday.co.uk
Contact: letters@worthingtoday.co.uk,
emily.bridges@worthingtoday.co.uk
PROTESTORS
CRY: FREE JAILED CANNABIS CAMPAIGNER CHRIS
Supporters
of cannabis campaigner Chris Baldwin are calling for him to be released from
prison.
A
group of protesters were yesterday due to demonstrate outside the government's
Whitehall offices to demand that Baldwin, who was sentenced to six months'
imprisonment for cannabis related offences recently, to be freed immediately.
Following
the peaceful protest, which was due to start at noon, the group were planning
to spend the night "homeless" in St James' Park, London, in sympathy
with Baldwin, of Carnegie Close, Worthing.
Clara
O'Donnell, of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said :" With the law change
taking place in less than two weeks, it seems a little mad that Chris Baldwin,
who uses cannabis for medical purposes and cannot walk without crutches, will
be locked in a cell at a huge cost to the taxpayer."
A
second protest is planned for Wednesday outside Parliament, followed by a
demonstration outside the Home Office on Thursday.
Baldwin
was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for his part in the running of
Quantum Leaf cafe in Rowlands Road, Worthing.
MEANWHILE,
ANOTHER MAN GETS COMMUNITY ORDER FOR SUPPLY
Keith
Chalk. 36, of Goring Road, Worthing, was given a 160-hour community punishment
order on Friday after pleading guilty to five counts of supplying cannabis.
Chichester
Crown Court heard that Chalk, who campaigns for the legalisation of the drug,
sold cannabis to undercover police at Buddies Cafe, Brougham Road, East
Worthing, in June.
Judge
Anthony Thorpe said he took into account the sentences passed by Judge John
Sessions on Chris Baldwin, Winston Matthews and Mark Benson recently for
similar offences.