About 40 activists gathered at the Federal Courthouse Tuesday, June 7, '05, to protest the Raich decision. Law enforcement, often lax at Coalition events, were testy on that mild, windy, but sunny day.

Ryan Landers was in rare form, wielding a bullhorn, admonishing passersby to support medical marijuana rights. His patter was passionate, and full of excellent soundbites. "Stop arresting sick people. Tell congress to let us have our medicine. State law is still the law. It's not about getting high, it's about not throwing up."

But the cops were not pleased. At around 12:40, a police car far from Ryan, and started trying to have a shouting match with Ryan, using his police P.A. With Ryan's megaphone being the louder of the two, it took quite a while for him to even notice that the cop was talking to him. Once the policeman got Ryan's attention, he told him that a permit was required for amplified speech.

The entire crowd then started chanting, "DEA, go away!"

A lot of motorists were honking their support for medical marijuana rights. But one unlucky driver was ticketed for the crime of honking. Many more cars honked, but no other vehicles were pulled over. As soon as the ticketing began, the activists began pelting the officers with cries of, "Shame," booing, and general ridicule. Time will tell how overreaching the police will be for Wednesday's protest.

I have personally spoken with the Building Manager for the Federal Courthouse, who has assured me that he will issue us a permit for amplified sound for the event Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at noon, at 5th & I, Downtown Sacramento.