Harassment of Pagans Iuna Thu Sep 9 11:23:36 1999 This is re: a new festival in Cadiz, Ohio. The organizers are*br*mostly Pagan and Native American. The council member doing the*br*harassing said he wouldn't have these people in HIS town. The*br*following letter was sent to newspapers, so may be freely copied*br*and shared. Please do take a moment to call or write if you are so*br*inclined. I think there is a pretty strong "hate crime" law in Ohio,*br*and it could be invoked here. I'm sure Storm, who sent me this,*br*would appreciate some good Celtic energy in this effort... storm@bhfi.1st.net*p*>>> [from a note from the principle organizer]*br*If you are upset to hear that this sort of thing goes on in this country*br*and would like to express your displeasure you can reach the Village of*br*Cadiz at 740-942-8405.*p*U.S. Congressman Bob Ney is also investigating the situation and you can*br*express your support by calling him at 740-695-1111 or writing him at 146 A*br*West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950.<<<*p*[the letter that went to newspapers, etc.]*br*> Baron's Haven Freehold, a group of people mainly consisting of ethnic and*br*religious minorities, is conducting a Celtic Medieval Festival this weekend*br*and subesequent weekends throughout the month of September in the Village*br*of Cadiz, through a lease arrangement with BHFI and the village of grounds*br*located within the city limits.*br*> *br*> One councilman was opposed to the festival. However, he was voted down*br*and the lease was signed months ago. This councilman has been heard making*br*derrogatory statements concerning the people involved with the festival and*br*its patrons. At one point, the Village Solicitor had to inform this*br*councilman that if he continued to interefere with the festival, he would*br*have to face harrassament charges - a personal charge of harrassment*br*against the BHFI CEO Jim Anderson.*br*> *br*> On Saturday, opening day for the festival, signs directing visitors to*br*the site were torn down shortly before this councilman arrived on the site*br*with a police officer. He arrived at the entrance gate and stopped visitors*br*and vendors as they left the festival grounds, demanding vendors show proof*br*of insurance to him. (Such forms were filed with the Village Solicitor who*br*requested only a liability waiver.) The councilman then proceded to come*br*onto the actual festival grounds in the police cruiser and confront*br*Anderson, telling him he would be coming back Sunday to "shut this down."*br*When questioned as to whose authority he was acting upon, he replied the*br*Village Council asked him to do this on Friday. The Village Council does*br*NOT meet on Friday and during Thursday's Council meeting, the festival was*br*not discussed. *br*> *br*> Thus, IF the council actually had asked the councilman to come to the*br*festival, it was during a NON-PUBLIC meeting, a violation of Ohio's*br*Sunshine Laws. It is the belief of those who witnessed Saturday's*br*confrontation that the councilman was acting on his own and was attempting*br*to harrass and frighten away vendors and customers.*br*> *br*> it is the intention of BHFI to conduct the festival Sunday and Monday and*br*on the subsequent weekends as advertised. Opening is at 10 a.m. The group*br*trying to save the land upon which the festival is being held (which is in*br*opposition to the councilman's desire to have it leveled to be made*br*available to "possible" industry) is expecting a confrontation between this*br*councilman and themselves.*br*> *br*> Your attention and coverage of this matter would be appreciated.*br*> *br*> Thank you.*br*> *br*> For more information, contact jim Anderson at 740-942-8405.*br*>