Candidate joins rally

In his first official appearance as the Libertarian candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, Ken Krawchuk joined retired professor Julian Heicklen yesterday in Heicklen's weekly marijuana protest.

A crowd of about 100 people gathered to show their support for the legalization of marijuana, a key issue on the Libertarian platform.

The relationship between the two began last weekend at the annual Libertarian Party convention where Krawchuk was named the party's gubernatorial candidate. Krawchuk said he asked Heicklen if he could speak at the weekly marijuana protest.

"I am 100 percent behind Heicklen," Krawchuk said. "It is great what the professor is doing."

Krawchuk, from Abington, has been involved with the Libertarian party since he registered for that party in 1993. Working as a computer programmer since 1970, Krawchuk has also run several unsuccessful campaigns for state representative and Abington township commissioner.

In the last state gubernatorial election, the Libertarian Party, the third largest political party in the country, received 2 percent of the vote, Krawchuk said. He said he is confident he will be able to win more of the votes.

"I feel we have more support now than we had even two years ago," Krawchuk said. "The numbers of Libertarians in Pennsylvania double every 18 months."

The views of the party are based on the respect for the rights of the individual to seek freedom and happiness in any way they wish, Krawchuk said. Among their top priorities are legalizing marijuana and lowering the drinking age.

"I am dedicated to repealing the insane war on drugs," Krawchuk said.

Krawchuk was met with mixed reactions from the crowd. Many people present for all of Heicklen's protests wished to hear more about marijuana legalization and less about political strategy.

"I can't say that I am in support of (Krawchuk)," said Richard Hebel (junior-electrical engineering). "I am in support of personal freedom, but I don't smoke marijuana."

Also in attendance at the protest were the students and community members charged with possession of marijuana with Heicklen two weeks ago. None of the protesters smoked yesterday or last Thursday in protest.

State College resident Alan Gordon was charged with possession and distribution of marijuana during the protest Feb. 12. Last Thursday, Gordon was arrested in a separate incident where several bags of marijuana and cash were seized from him, the State College Police Department said.

Gordon said the police seized cash and marijuana from him and it was documented incorrectly in the court reports. He said he was in possession of eight bags of marijuana, but documents state there were five. He also alleges that the cash seized from him is not recorded in the documents.

"I will win like I always do," Gordon said. "It was very wrong and I have real concern about it."

His preliminary hearing for the most recent incidents was scheduled for last Wednesday. However, it was continued and rescheduled for March 25. His preliminary hearing for charges from the Heicklen protest is scheduled for the same day.

Heicklen said his preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18. He said he is trying to move the hearing to next week.

Preliminary hearings are also scheduled March 25 for University student Jennifer Corbett (freshman-psychology) and State College resident Ken Keltner, who were also charged for actions at the Feb. 12 protest.

The preliminary hearing is next Wednesday for charges against University student Andy Burke (sophomore-engineering).

Burke, Heicklen and Gordon will represent themselves while Corbett and Keltner are undecided in their legal strategy.