I recently won a major victory against the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security. I represented a disabled veteran and medical marijuana user who was stopped at a Border Patrol check-point, many miles from the U.S. Border near the Hood Canal Bridge, and criminally charged. I was able to get the U.S. Attorney to dismiss charges against his client as well as four others and to issue a statement to the Border Patrol that the U.S. Attorney would no longer prosecute these cases.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/387945_pot15.html
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/nov/14/charges-dropped-against-pot-patient-posession-chec
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081116/NEWS/311169984
http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2008/11/seattles_border_xing.php

I have been active as a community member in opposing these encroaches into our liberties speaking out against them in repeatedly, and filing Freedom of Information Act Requests.

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-crime/2008/10/20/border-patrols-woes-continue
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081008/NEWS/810080306&SearchID=73336563253843

My skills as a negotiator have enabled me to defend the rights of activists to hold banners over freeways, negotiate the permits for numerous protests including those of NION and the supporters of Lt. Ehren Watada. I facilitated protests at City Hall in Seattle staged by advocates for the homeless including Real Change and the Seattle King County Coalition for the Homeless. The event was covered by KIRO-TV, the Seattle P-I, Tim Harris' blog, (twice), and here, with some more video here. I've also helped a college student cut through layers of bureaucracy and get their passport, all without having to go to litigation.

Public Opinion Pieces

I've published many in depth Articles and my Opinions have been sought by a variety of publications on a variety of topics. The Nation has sought my opinion on the changing shape of protest and Counter Punch has sought my opinion on the subject of Medical Marijuana. Recent pieces of mine have also been published in Real Change and Eat the State. I have been interviewed extensively about my efforts including this interview with KEXP recorded during my campaign for U.S. Congress, and this interview with the WTO History Project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYk66V92Xw
http://depts.washington.edu/wtohist/interviews/Richmond.pdf
www.richmond4congress.com

A letter I wrote about the budget crisis faced by the local public defenders appeared in the Port Townsend Leader.

Another letter of mine on issues of air quality and our local paper mill appeared in the Peninsula Daily News.