Tulsa PPD Sept 25th 2004

[Rick]

My sweetheart's group is putting this on. If you're anywhere near Tulsa, I urge you to come out & support this event. Here's the info:

Guardians of the Heart are organizing the first ever Pagan Pride Day in Oklahoma, to be held in Tulsa on September 25, 2004 from 9 am to 9 pm. There will be vendors, food, crafts, and more.

Location: 88th & Memorial, look for big banner

Schedule:
9 am Opening Ceremony and Welcoming
Please do not be late. The opening circle will be held by the Circle of Spiritual Fire and it will be a Native American Pipe Ceremony. If you have never participated in one, and you do not smoke, you do not have to smoke. Instead you can simply tap the pipe to your shoulder as you make your wish.

10 am Herb Workshop

10:45 - 12 Thorn Coyle Workshop
Feri and Reclaiming priestess. She will likely be doing one of her regular workshops: The Black Heart of Innocence, Creating Ecstatic Ritual, The Dance of the Peacock and the Power of Names, The Iron Pentacle, The Pearl Pentacle, The Triple Soul Ethereal Anatomy, Engaging the Warrior's Heart. Visit her website to learn more about her and her workshops.

1:00 - 1:30 pm Discussion of Tulsa Cares, Chosen Charity for Pagan Pride Day

2:00 pm Heathen Blot presented

3:00 - 4:30 pm Panel on different Pagan/Heathen paths represented in Northeastern OK

5:00 - 6:00 pm Divination Discussion

7:00 - 8:00 Main Ritual
Presented by Thorn Coyle and SOFE/Victor and Cora Anderson Feri Tradition

8:15 - 9:00 pm Concert with Thorn Coyle and Others
$5 donation suggested

Kids activities are planned from 9 am to 1 pm.

Please join us. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to help with a workshop, vendor, or planning, please contact Elise at 918-850-1838.

[sacrificialgoddess]

Damn! I've got to work. :razz:

Otherwise would definitely be there!

[Caffiend]

Hey, does anyone want to meet up there? Have a MW'er mini gathering?

[Semele]

well this sounds like a great deal! We will definately at least put in an appearance. i am bettin it is a week-end..haven't looked at the claendar yet..but I can miss a bit of sleep for this!

Thanks for the post Rick...we will see you there then? and Elise too!

Flar, Freyja...who else is in the area? Lets get together!

Caffiend, we would love to meet you!

[Caffiend]

well this sounds like a great deal! We will definately at least put in an appearance. i am bettin it is a week-end..haven't looked at the claendar yet..but I can miss a bit of sleep for this!

Thanks for the post Rick...we will see you there then? and Elise too!

Flar, Freyja...who else is in the area? Lets get together!

Caffiend, we would love to meet you!
Sounds great!

[mol]

Woot!

[Rick]

well this sounds like a great deal! We will definately at least put in an appearance. i am bettin it is a week-end..haven't looked at the claendar yet..but I can miss a bit of sleep for this!

Thanks for the post Rick...we will see you there then? and Elise too!

Flar, Freyja...who else is in the area? Lets get together!

Caffiend, we would love to meet you!
Well, that's the plan... only fly in that ointment would be if I find a job & have to work that day... damn, kinda torn there ;)

Lookin' forward to seein' some MWers there!

[Rick]

Only a few more days... I can hardly wait... :abanana:

[Katya]

OMG dude i really have a reason to be in tulsa right now. count me in until further notice, in case i can't make it.

[Caffiend]

Hey, so is there a good place out there to meet up? You know, some sort of identifiable site we could find.

[Katya]

how about someone holds up a sign that says MW!

maybe i'll do that. lol

[Velvet Paw]

how about someone holds up a sign that says MW!

maybe i'll do that. lol

Is that a good idea anyone? I am Katya's mom and we think it might be a good one. She is right,we are in Tulsa at the right time!

[Caffiend]

Is that a good idea anyone? I am Katya's mom and we think it might be a good one. She is right,we are in Tulsa at the right time!Sounds good to me. I'm going to try to be there at the opening ceremony. Is anyone else?

[Rick]

OK... as of 5 pm this date (Thu Sept 23rd) an xtian lawyer has filed an injunction against the PPD... there will be a court hearing tomorrow am, & there are contingency plans being made even as I type this... stay tuned to this thread...

[DragonsChest]

OK... as of 5 pm this date (Thu Sept 23rd) an xtian lawyer has filed an injunction against the PPD... there will be a court hearing tomorrow am, & there are contingency plans being made even as I type this... stay tuned to this thread...


What in the world would that lawyer have to file against? It's not as if you're going to sacrifice little children during the opening ceremonies!!! Good Grief, people like that make me angry that they call themselves Christians. This is not what Christianity is all about!

:rant:

[Carickah]

OK... as of 5 pm this date (Thu Sept 23rd) an xtian lawyer has filed an injunction against the PPD... there will be a court hearing tomorrow am, & there are contingency plans being made even as I type this... stay tuned to this thread...

This really pisses me off. It is a waste of time and money for some "christian" lawyer to pull this shit. It is unconscionable.




k

[Caffiend]

You have got to be kidding! I am so sick of this bible-thumping. <sigh> Why can't we all just get along?! :rant:

[Caffiend]

Anything new Rick?

[Rick]

Sorry to be so long getting back...

OK, here's the scoop: the judge dropped all the injunctions (believe it or not, this guy had asked that Elise & Thorn Coyle, the featured speaker, and Elise's teaching group, Guardians of the Heart, be 'permanently injoined' from doing rituals, ever again) EXCEPT the one blocking PPD from happening on that specific site (there were zoning & permit issues)... SO, it'll be held Saturday, Sept 25th from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at the 9th Street Hall, 5903 E 9th St. Look for the big PPD banner.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=US&addtohistory=&searchtype=address&cat=&address=5903%20E%209th%20St&city=Tulsa&state=OK&zipcode=74112%2d2914&search=%20%20Search%20%20&searchtab=address

[Caffiend]

Sorry to be so long getting back...

OK, here's the scoop: the judge dropped all the injunctions (believe it or not, this guy had asked that Elise & Thorn Coyle, the featured speaker, and Elise's teaching group, Guardians of the Heart, be 'permanently injoined' from doing rituals, ever again) EXCEPT the one blocking PPD from happening on that specific site (there were zoning & permit issues)... SO, it'll be held Saturday, Sept 25th from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at the Saba Grotto, 5903 E 9th St. Look for the big PPD banner.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=US&addtohistory=&searchtype=address&cat=&address=5903%20E%209th%20St&city=Tulsa&state=OK&zipcode=74112%2d2914&search=%20%20Search%20%20&searchtab=address
Thanks again Rick! I'm not feeling well today, so I can't make it. Please post how it went when you can.

[Katya]

i couldn't make it! ;_; i didn't have a ride. i'm so dissapointed.

edit: has anyone seen all that art being sold on peoria? what's that all about?

[Carickah]

i couldn't make it! ;_; i didn't have a ride. i'm so dissapointed.

edit: has anyone seen all that art being sold on peoria? what's that all about?
I couldn't make it either... couldn't get off work... not sure about the art, haven't been by there. Is it near the Herbal Glen?




k

[Rick]

PPD went off with only a slight hitch... apparently our lawyer friend used his position to look into the records... a cop showed up to arrest Elise for 'unpaid traffic tickets' (an anonymous tip had been phoned as to her exact whereabouts, including describing her garb down to the flowers on her sarong). So Elise went home & got her receipts showing she'd paid her traffic tickets... hehehe... aw, well, he gave it the ol' 'college try'... he's just not very good at it... :hehehehe:

But enough of that... nearly 150 people came through the door... not bad for an event that was virtually canceled, revived, & moved to a new venue in under 24 hours, eh? See what COMMUNITY can do? _travolta_

[DragonsChest]

Congratulations on pulling it together and I'm glad you were able to "spring" Elise from the "man"!! :hehehehe:

[~Elise~]

Well, since Rick has been keeping you guys updated on this--I thought I'd post something I wrote for Witchvox this morning.

Elise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oklahoma just had its First Pagan Pride Day EVER in Tulsa, OK on 9/25/04. It almost didn’t happen because of another first, we were the first PPD to ever have an injunction filed to stop it.

At 5 PM on Thursday September 23, 2004 I was informed that an injunction had been filed to stop PPD. No one involved was served actual papers—we had NO idea what the basis was—we just knew that we had to be in court at 9:30 the next morning, the morning before the event we’d all worked so hard to bring into being. I found out this was a Christian attorney who I’d talked to the Sunday before when we were building a bridge over a creek on some private property that we had permission to use for the PPD event.

Even before this though, adversity was faced, but the dissenters were a very vocal few within the Pagan Community here in Tulsa that really just had a personal agenda with me and were going a bit far. The attacks that they presented were coordinated behind the scenes. People were told what questions to ask and when to ask them. Sad that this had to happen, but as most people are aware it happens amongst our own more than we want to admit. It seems that the ones that say they are for Peace are the ones who seem to create the most discord no matter where they go.

Back to the subject at hand though—injunction and PPD. I start calling around to some of my contacts and am told to call the Gay Pride line. I do this and an extremely nice attorney answers, (yes, they do exist and that is not an oxymoron). At this point, it is like 5:30 and I still don’t have a clue what is going on. The guy gives me his cell phone number and says if I can find out what is up, he’ll be happy to look over the papers. But, in the meantime, I ask if I should mobilize the Pagan Community and he says yes, the more there the better. So, off I go—I hit the computer and start sending out emails asking for anyone available to be at court with me in the morning. Responses start pouring in…I am very touched by the support. My phone starts ringing off the hook, as well. The Interfaith Alliance is looking like it will show up for support. There are people both pagan and Christian offering help and support.

At 7:09 PM I am forwarded a copy of the complaint and the application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by the filing attorney, (how nice of him at this late hour). However, it does not have the exhibits attached. I do call the first attorney back and forward him the papers. He calls back in an hour and says that guy does have me on a zoning violation regarding parking. I will probably lose in court and having the additional people in the courtroom may end up irritating the judge—who is known to be EXTREMELY conservative. So—off I go onto the computer and cancel all my support, except for one, for the next morning. In the meantime, in looking over the application for the injunction—the filing attorney is asking for a permanent injunction that I can never hold PPD-type activities. And also that Thorn Coyle, (my guest speaker), and I are never allowed to hold or participate in workshops or rituals. (he said that we held ourselves out to be ‘priestesses’ [his quotes] and should not be allowed to do those things. To be honest, I’m honored to be considered at Thorn’s level even if it is all BS in this injunction)

In the meantime, I’ve contacted my Regional Coordinator for PPD and he’s forwarded all my stuff to the National Board. I start getting calls from him and others. These calls are continuing late into the evening. At 1 AM in the morning I talk to Dagonet ‘Dag’ Dewr and that is when he informs me that I am the first PPD to ever have an injunction filed against it. He wants me to call Brian Ewing in CA. Brian is expecting my call and has been looking over the paperwork already. I put him in contact with the landowner and they talk for about an hour at which time Brian calls me back—2 AM. (I’ve finally gotten to bed, but the phone is RIGHT by the bed. I’m so nervous and upset, my stomach is in knots and I’m extremely nauseous). Based on his interpretation, my event is cancelled. I call Thorn Coyle and tell her not to get on the plane the next morning to head here. (For some strange reason, she is named in this ridiculous lawsuit, as well). On his end Dag is organizing BIG names to help me out. Dana Eilerts, author of Pagans and the Law, Selena Fox and Jerrie Hilderbrant, Lady Liberty League and others. In the meantime, I call an alternate location where I’ve held all my fundraisers to see if it would be available for Saturday, if I can get the portion of the TRO released to be able to hold the event. He says he will check with his Board of Directors in the morning and I’m to call him when I get out of court.

I’m up at 5 AM the next morning to head into work to get a couple of things done before court at 9:30 AM. In the courtroom, our case is called, and the other side has his WHOLE law firm there, (6 attorneys) and there is just myself and the two landowners for our side. The judge asks us if we have representation and we inform him that there wasn’t time to arrange that and we were denied due process because of that and would he release the injunction. He doesn’t really agree with that, so we agree to continue. We do tell him however, that the event is already canceled for that location and this didn’t need to continue, but the judge and the other side want to continue. The attorney for the other side starts reading the complaints about the zoning violations, including one about tent size. I ask to interrupt for a moment, I tell the judge that the tent size I would have been using was 10x10—they did NOT need permits. He agrees and that is dismissed. The parking regulation though—I can not get around. It is illegal in Tulsa to park on a non-all weather surface (that is, pavement), I’ve discovered. We were using the grassy area. The judge then asks if we will agree to the TRO, even though the event is canceled. We say No, we have a problem with the wording on the TRO. The judge asks what the problem is—we say that the first problem is that the order restricts us from holding ANY type of PPD event anywhere. The judge agrees, the TRO can ONLY apply to the land in question. He asks if there are any other problems and I say, “Yes, sir, there is. The next item restricts me from doing ANY type of workshop or ritual in Tulsa EVER. I can not believe that you would allow my right to practice my religion be infringed upon like that.” The judge looks at me for a second and says, “I’m sure that is not their intent. This applies to this location only.” He looks at the other side, “I’m sure you agree with that, correct?” The attorney who filed the complaint looks at me quickly, then at the judge. “No, Your Honor, that is not what we meant. It applies to the location only.” YES, I wanted to shout, but only gave the others on my side a triumphant glance. The other side pulls out a new TRO application that doesn’t have those restrictions and asks if we’ll sign it. We say no we won’t without being given time to read it. We are given the new copies.

The judge then asks us to work out the rest of our differences amongst ourselves and when we were done, he would come back from chambers and sign the order. After the judge leaves the room—we are given copies of the new TRO that the other side already had been prepared. I’m not sure if I want to know why there are two versions, but accept the new copy and read it. Everything that we asked for was there, no restrictions on other events or activities. Did they think we were fools? Did they think we wouldn’t show up? I don’t really know. But this new order is acceptable. We agree that we will sign it, if there is a date in the area of how long the TRO was supposed to last. So the judge is called back in and he gives us a new date of Oct 6th to come back. Once that is written in and the judge signs, we all sign it. So back we go to court again in Oct. Not sure why it’s needed, but I’ll be there.

I call Dag at National as soon as I leave the courtroom and tell him what transpired. He agreed that we could still hold the event, if my alternate location came through. I call that contact next—he says it is available and could I afford $300 for the day? I say yes, we can. He says he’ll call me back within two hours. I head home to send out an update to all the e-lists. I tell them that I’ll announce the new location soon, but they needed to know that PPD was still on and what had transpired in court. My phone meanwhile is ringing off the hook again with people wanting personal updates. Within the two hours promised, my new location is secured. So—I’m off again drafting yet another email and developing a new schedule because I can only go until 5:30 PM instead of the 9 PM I wanted. I have to cancel the concert and change main ritual since Thorn wouldn’t be there as planned. LLL has called in the meantime offering to draft a press release for me and help distribute it out. Well of course, I’m going to take all the help I can get. I send them an update and emails are soon flying between all of us regarding wording, etc. Approvals are granted and LLL springs into action doing what they do so well—getting the word circulated. I also forward it to Oklahoma’s 15 statewide Pagan lists and ask them to send far and wide, as well.

In less than 24 hours—I’ve been shut down, released from restrictions and moved my event with minor changes...okay major changes, but who is quibbling at this point? At 6 AM the next morning, we are setting up tables and chairs in the new location with vendors starting to arrive at 6:30-ish. By 8 AM, I’m exhausted and still have to get ready for Opening Ritual at 9 AM. The rest of the morning went without a hitch.

HOWEVER, the problems did not end. We were told by a citizen right at lunch time that Fundamentalists were gathering at a nearby bar and coming to protest us and raise a ruckus. I called the police out as a preventative measure. While the police officer was there--an anonymous phone call came in that I had outstanding warrants against me. And they described what I was wearing to a tee. The traffic tickets had been paid--however I did have to ride home with the police officer to show him the receipts. We did leave another police officer on scene just in case there was trouble--but none appeared. The cop was VERY sympathetic and said it was a shame that religion gets so distorted. So--they tried to get me arrested to disrupt the event, but it didn't happen!

The rest of the day was awesome—the energy level went even higher once I was returned—the attendees were ecstatic that we’d won another one. We had 10 vendors—donated approx. 200 pounds of food to the TulsaCARES food bank—we had over 140 people attend the event. I consider the day a rousing success. And have already set the date for next year’s PPD.

[DragonsChest]

Blessings on you and your event, pearls59. May next year be smoother!

[~Elise~]

Blessings on you and your event, pearls59. May next year be smoother!

Thanks--It was definitely a learning experience. My vision is that within three to four years we are having a Pagan Pride Parade. How cool would that be?

Elise

[Caffiend]

Elise, thank you so much for all your efforts in bringing PPD to Oklahoma. I wish I wasn't ill last weekend. I so wanted to go.

[~Elise~]

Elise, thank you so much for all your efforts in bringing PPD to Oklahoma. I wish I wasn't ill last weekend. I so wanted to go.

No problem...I would say it was my pleasure, but that wouldn't be exactly true. Although, I wouldn't have missed the experience, as is true with most things in my life.

Elise

[DragonsChest]

Thanks--It was definitely a learning experience. My vision is that within three to four years we are having a Pagan Pride Parade. How cool would that be?

Elise

Freyja and I had talked about having a booth together for this, but I was unable to commit -- I was setting up my tent that day for another venue. Maybe she and I can plan for next year! We'll see what Kismet brings us. :flowers:

[~Elise~]

Freyja and I had talked about having a booth together for this, but I was unable to commit -- I was setting up my tent that day for another venue. Maybe she and I can plan for next year! We'll see what Kismet brings us. :flowers:

Ahhh, Okay--you're the person she was talking to me about. Hope your event went well. I'm checking out your website now.

Elise

[DragonsChest]

Ahhh, Okay--you're the person she was talking to me about. Hope your event went well. I'm checking out your website now.

Elise

Actually, the event is this coming weekend, I was just cleaning up my area and setting up the tent.

Thanks for checking out my site -- hope you enjoy it! I think you'll recognize my babies.

:crown: huzzah!

[Flar's Freyja]

PPD went off with only a slight hitch... apparently our lawyer friend used his position to look into the records... a cop showed up to arrest Elise for 'unpaid traffic tickets' (an anonymous tip had been phoned as to her exact whereabouts, including describing her garb down to the flowers on her sarong). So Elise went home & got her receipts showing she'd paid her traffic tickets... hehehe... aw, well, he gave it the ol' 'college try'... he's just not very good at it... :hehehehe:

But enough of that... nearly 150 people came through the door... not bad for an event that was virtually canceled, revived, & moved to a new venue in under 24 hours, eh? See what COMMUNITY can do? _travolta_

Yes, and I hope that the whole mess goes toward turning Tulsa back into a "community." Elise definitely has all of the warrior goddesses within and around her to stand strong despite the opposition - which some of us know has roots within our own.

[~Elise~]

Yes, and I hope that the whole mess goes toward turning Tulsa back into a "community."

Actually--it HAS gone a long way to doing just that. The Alliance members are helping me with PPD for next year. We're already starting preparations. And -- we have some awesome fundraisers planned...including concerts. Woohoo!!


Elise definitely has all of the warrior goddesses within and around her to stand strong despite the opposition - which some of us know has roots within our own.

*blush* Thanks, Freyja.

Yes...isn't is sad that our own who say they are for peace are the ones instigating opposition?

Elise