Arrest restores the Hope for ONAC's Portland Federal Case
As many of you are aware, Oklevueha Native American Church has a pending case against the United States government as well as the US Postal Service soon to be heard in the 9th federal court in Portland, Oregon. No thanks to faulty legal representation, concern was arising as key representative for the case Sachem Joy Graves obtained a warrant which could have prevented her from appearing and representing the case. But Creator has his ways, and whether we like or even comprehend his methods, all we can do is roll with it as it comes.
Graves was wrongfully arrested on the evening that the federal case and lawsuit had been filed as a form of retaliation and ordered to appear in court on a day that was too traumatic. Despite being guarenteed that church counsel would ensure the appearance be rescheduled, and even a physician's note excusing Graves from appearing in court for the arraignment, Linn County Circuit Court instead decided to issue a warrant for Graves arrest.
As a result, since March 5th, the date notification of the warrant became known, Graves has been unable to return to her home as well as feel safe as she traveled about the west coast handling various church business and trying to keep it and members progressing forward. Graves has been living in the church vehicle begging and being endlessly promised that the warrant would be quickly recalled by the churches legal counsel... and effort that would never come.
Unfortunately, however thankfully at least as far as this case is concerned, Sachem Graves would find herself abruptly awaken by Salem Police at 4:40Am this morning and ultimately have her warrant dissolved as she would be "cited and re-released at the scene"... but that would come at the cost of two church members arrest and the threat of 3rd degree assault charges being brought against them.
It all started last evening over a couple of street tacos... a drunken pill addict would be beaten, two church members would end up arrested for 3rd degree assault and because of such, Sachem Joy Graves would find herself "re-cited and re-released" on the scene in NE Salem. Crazy as well as bad as this may seem, at least now Graves has a clear path to walk into federal court and defend the case with a high likelyhood of success.
Should the federal case be won, Graves will have ensured the absolute protection of our individual right to use cannabis as both a spiritual as well as a medicinal sacrament, and too, gain the right of protection when it comes to transferring sacred sacraments between any and All ONAC members through the US Mail... a victory Desperately needed by the great many church members who otherwise suffer because of the lack of ability to do so despite the laxing of cannabis throughout society as a whole.
Please review our article archives to find more detailed information regarding the church members victimization mentioned above for clarity of fact and detail, and too, please stay tuned to ONAC KM News for further updates regarding this and all other situations encompassing ONAC, ONAC KM and our beloved members.
