By Cheri Sicard | Published in West Coast Leaf
Members of The Human Solution, aka "The Green Team", show their support for Joe Grumbine by showing up to court support sporting green ribbons.
They are a diverse group – ranging in age from early 20s to late 70s; black, white, Hispanic, Asian; some are in wheelchairs or walk with canes, others are spry and fit.
Observers often wonder what could have possibly brought these people, all wearing bright green ribbons adorned with small medical-style crosses, together.
The people are all members of The Green Team, a group of court support activists from The Human Solution, a Southern California cannabis advocacy group that believes nobody should EVER go to jail for a plant.
“Most courtrooms are empty. When we show up with a large group of supporters, people take notice. Jurors see that a lot of people care enough about both the issue and the defendant to take time out of their lives to publicly stand with them. And while I can’t say it directly effects the outcome of a case, I can say that it definitely makes a difference.”
The group travels throughout Southern California whenever there is a medical marijuana defendant facing the injustice of the court system, and silently sits in solidarity in the courtroom.
In many cases, they have no personal connection to the defendants they are helping.
Orange County prosecutor Jeff Shunk christened the activists with their colorful moniker after finding himself exasperated at courtrooms on 2 consecutive days, in 2 separate cases, overflowing with supporters for the medical marijuana defendants.
The activists liked the sound of it and “The Green Team” has stuck ever since.
Shunk isn’t the only prosecutor who’s taken notice of the ever-expanding ranks of court supporters.
Los Angeles prosecutor Richard Gallegly was apparently so rattled, he tried to compel Judge Beverly O’Connell to force the Green Team to remove their Solidarity Ribbons during the David Rios case in San Fernando.
When the judge refused, he took great pains to point out the supporters and the ribbons to the jury. Whatever Gallegly’s strategy, it must have backfired. The jury acquitted Rios of all charges.
While some believe court support makes no real difference, Human Solution founder Joe Grumbine, himself facing 13 felony charges in a trial set to begin in Long Beach on August 22, disagrees. “Name one situation where people don’t behave better when they know they’re being watched,” he asks.
“Most courtrooms are empty. When we show up with a large group of supporters, people take notice. Jurors see that a lot of people care enough about both the issue and the defendant to take time out of their lives to publicly stand with them. And while I can’t say it directly effects the outcome of a case, I can say that it definitely makes a difference.”
If nothing else, it makes an enormous impact on the defendant. Grumbine sites one of his early hearings when he was jailed and brought to the courtroom in shackles.
He only got about a second to scan the courtroom before being ordered to face the judge, but seeing it filled with supportive faces gave him the strength to fight on.
Defendant Catrina Falbo, whose litany of felony charges were dropped at preliminary hearing, concurs. “Seeing all of my friends and supporters gave me a feeling of confidence and at the same time it unexpectedly calmed my nerves and gave me a sense of serenity.”
Those facing medical marijuana cases in need of court support as well as those wishing to join the Green Team in supporting medical marijuana defendants are encouraged to contact The Human Solution at www.the-human-solution.org and on Facebook and Twitter.
Heriberto Baysmore
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