Category: Press Coverage

    Habersham Co. baby hurt in drug raid sparks protest Saturday

    Georgia CARE director James Bell has called for a mass rally in Clarkesville, Ga. (Habersham Co.) after a baby was seriously injured in a botched drug raid. Please attend (car) and share this post with your friends. The event is this Saturday June 7th 11:00 am Clarkesville Ga.

    A Rally for Truth & Justice for Baby BouBou
    June 1, 2014 – Atlanta Georgia: In the aftermath of the botched raid that left a child severely injured by a “multi-jurisdictional task force” in Habersham County Georgia, a coalition of citizens and organizations will rally in support of the family and call for state and federal investigations into the conduct of law enforcement officials.
    James Bell, a political activist, has notified Habersham County and the City of Clarkesville, GA that citizens will rally in the courthouse park seeking a “redress of grievances” concerning the raid and tactics used.
    Where: Habersham County Courthouse Gazebo – Clarkesville, Georgia
    When: Saturday June 7 – 11:00am – 1:00 pm
    Why: To demonstrate in support of the child and the family and let the world know the citizens of Georgia care about life, liberty and peace in our communities.
    “Obviously citizens of Georgia and the nation have been shocked by the actions of a drug task force that left a baby critically injured”, Bell said. “The fact that the task force had no idea who was inside the home or where the suspect was at the time is most disturbing.” Bell continues – “The War on Drugs is a failure and the results are the erosion of our rights as American citizens. The militarization of law enforcement has created a situation where citizens are told to accept the collateral damage in the name of fighting the war. Tossing explosive devices into homes when they have no idea who is inside is unacceptable. We want accountability, we want answers, and we want justice for the child and their family.”
    Bell said Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell’s interview with an Atlanta TV station, where he attempted to justify their actions, was embarrassing and left more questions than answers. The Sheriff’s assertion that no investigation into this matter is needed is suspicious.
    Purpose of the Rally:
    1. To call for a state and federal investigation into this tragedy to determine the facts and hold those responsible accountable.
    2. To call for the abolition of “no-knock” warrants except where a life and death situation exists.
    3. To call for an end to the War on Drugs as we know it and treat drug use as a health issue not a police matter.
    4. To allow the citizens touched by this event to peaceably express their concerns.

      Georgia Medical Marijuana Underground Exposed

      The Augusta Chronicle reports on Georgia medical marijuana underground. In spite of laws prohibiting cannabis as medicine, patients are seeking out their own source for the medicine. Here’s the story……

      Even without a law to cover them in Georgia, dozens and maybe hundreds of people in the Augusta area are using marijuana or a derivative to treat ailments, one activist said.

      Medical marijuana activist Maison Harley said their shadowy use clamors for the state to extend legal protection amid an evolving understanding of the potential health benefits of cannabis.

      “That’s the gray area that all of these families are having to go into,” he said. “Most of them have taken it upon themselves to find these products via any means necessary.”

        Georgia Medical Marijuana Patient Arrested – faces 4 years in prison

        Terry Altier is spending what he tells us will be the final days of his life in his Soperton home, but he may soon have to spend them in jail for growing medical marijuana.

        “I live with two thirds of my body in severe nerve pain,” Altier said.

        Altier told me, his doctors have diagnosed him with a degenerative nerve disorder and spinal injury, and says he hasn’t been given long to live.

        “They discovered my body could not tolerate the strong narcotics of morphine…and a whole myriad of other very strong opiates,” he said.

        So he showed us prescription bottles for a medicine called Marinol, a legal form of synthetic THC for his pain.

        “The name brand is $3700 for a month prescription. For the generic which they came out with probably about eight years ago…it’s $900,” he said.

        But after Altier’s partner died, the pills became difficult to afford, so he planted seven marijuana plants on his property and used them to help curb his pain.

        The Truetlen County Sheriff’s Office discovered the plants and arrested Altier. He was convicted of marijuana charges and could be sentenced Tuesday to four years in jail.

        “There’s a man who could not afford the medication that was prescribed to him, so he’s growing it himself to do what the medication would otherwise do and that makes it a felony,” said Jonathan Morrison, who is representing Altier.

        Altier’s neighbor and caregiver Henry Herndon says if he gets the maximum sentence he doesn’t think he’ll survive.

        “For as sick as he is to give him four years in prison — that would kill him,” Herndon said.

        If Altier doesn’t get the maximum sentence he says he plans to move as soon as possible.

        We reached out to Sheriff Thomas Corbin.

        He referred questions on the case to Craig Fraser, the county’s district attorney. Fraser did not return our phone calls.