The Hinchey/Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations (CJS) bill would have prohibited the Justice Department from spending any money interfering in states with active medical marijuana programs. It did not pass.

Late evening, the House passed an amendment to the CJS bill, denying funds to enforce the 'sneak and peek' provision of the Patriot Act. This means that police will not be able to roam and probe peoples' homes and offices without a warrant.

So, we're one for one, so far, but there is more.

Much later, at 1:15 am this morning, the House voted on appropriations for Plan Colombia -- the McGovern-Skelton amendment would have diverted some funds from military to boost global AIDS/HIV funds. It did not pass, but
there are victories and opportunities to discuss. Some very important things.

There is much email on this subject, personal and hurried, and I'm hard pressed to post what I feel is most appropriate and meaningful for this list. Over the coming weeks, a webpage of information will be available at many websites and we will direct you there.

I would hope that those of you with imprisoned loved ones, would print and share this message with them, and at least some subsequent emails on "opportunities". Help us keep them informed.

In all instances, the House debated "raucously, heated, vigorous, emotional, eloquent, eloquent, eloquent, emotional, near tears ..." I'm repeating a
couple adjectives that encouraged and excited "eyewitnesses" relayed to us.

Lobbyist types don't usually use so many adjectives, I'm thinking. I wish I could have been there. Something must be different now...

Know that many of your heartfelt messages came from Republicans and Democrats alike.

We know where more of our Congressional leaders stand. We didn't think there would be so many standing with us.

A lobbyist asked us to share this message with our members. It would of course apply to all the legislative actions mentioned above, and illustrates maturity of our movement, and growing alignment around issues of common
concern.

Let's give this our complete consideration.

Followup: If you have grassroots, now is the time to ask them to contact their member and thank them if they voted right or express concerns if they voted wrong. Particular emphasis should be put on thanking Republicans who
voted for (despite pressure from Colin Powell and Speaker Hastert) and expressing concerns to Democrats who voted against. We will be putting together a grassroots alert and state-by-state breakdowns of the vote later on today. The general alert will be sent out to the CSC, and the
state-by-state breakdowns will be available on our website.
http://www.lawg.org

Thank you to everyone for your hard work on this vote. The debate, which sends an important message to Colombia and to other members of Congress, could not have happened without your efforts.

Elanor Starmer Program Associate, Colombia and Central America Latin America Working Group

As website material is more available, we will return to this subject.

In Struggle, Nora ___ Nora Callahan, Executive Director November Coalition
795 South Cedar Colville, WA 99114 (509) 684-1550 (voice and fax)
nora@november.org http://www.november.org