Heicklen continues pot protest

In the presence of University Police Services, a candidate for governor, drug advocates and drug opposition, retired professor Julian Heicklen smoked another "joint" in front of University Gates yesterday.

"The time has come for revolution. We are fortunate that this country has a political party to lead this revolution," Heicklen said during the protest. "That party is the Libertarian party, the party of freedom."

University police officers present at yesterday's protest did not confiscate any "joints" from the scene and did not comment on their actions.

Heicklen and four others were arrested during a protest in February, and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for last Wednesday.

However, Heicklen failed to appear for his scheduled preliminary hearing.

As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for Heicklen by District Justice Allen Sinclair Wednesday afternoon.

Later that afternoon, Heicklen was arrested by State College Police Department officers and brought before District Justice Carmine Prestia.

Prestia dismissed the charges against Heicklen, which stem from his failure to appear for his preliminary hearing.

Prestia also released Heicklen on his own recognizance and rescheduled the preliminary hearing for March 25.

Heicklen said he is unsure if he will appear for the second preliminary hearing.

Regardless of the actions of Wednesday night, Heicklen held the protest today before a crowd of about 100.

Present at the protest were members of the Libertarian party, Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian candidate for governor, and supporters of the current marijuana laws.

"The Libertarian party stands behind Professor Heicklen 100 percent," Krawchuk said.

"The new Statue of Liberty is Professor Heicklen and his torch of freedom."

Not all people involved in the protest were supporters of Heicklen, the members of the Libertarian party and their cause. For the second time, a group of about 10 supporters of the drug laws came out to voice their opinions.

"The Libertarians are a ridiculous party," said Martin Austermuhle (freshman-international business), a supporter of the drug laws. "They think the way to solve everything is to legalize everything wrong with the country."

Krawchuk and other Libertarians said they are in support of allowing people to live the way they wish as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.

"I'm into what they're saying," said Mikey McLoughlin (junior-recreation and park management). "I'm being educated here. Being here is better than any class."

The Libertarian Party also took the opportunity yesterday during the protest to hold a voter registration drive and to circulate several petitions supporting their causes.