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GROVE OF THE UNICORN
P.O. BOX 13384
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30324
OCTOBER 11, 1985
Greetings and Blessed be:
As promised, an update on the happenings in Atlanta. Ah, me, keep
thinking back to all the times when we could write and say, "Things are
quiet here..." Certainly can't say that these days!
Seems there is a new development every day. Lady Galadriel as
been scheduled for a number of media appearance: A TV noon news live
interview whch, though short (five minutes) was very positive; a
newspaper article promised (on the religion page--waiting to see if
this promise is kept) (Ed. note--it was), several radio appearances
scheduled, including "Southwind" (aired natio nally - no date set); an
interview on a local talk show - Monday, Oct 7 -- again, very positive.
"Sound-off" talk show now scheduled for October 30, 9 p.m., WSB Radio,
750 on your dial, from Atlanta. (A 75,000 watt station, many of you far
away should be able to pick it up). At least we will get a chance to be
heard--the small voice in the Wilderness.....
Now to some of the heavier things: On Sunday, Sept. 29, we ent to
the property to close down the Temple and unwind the circle. We were
promised police protection and even changed our chosen time to fit
their choice of time. The police were not there when we arrived, but,
as there were so many of us, and believing the police would be along at
any moment, we proceeded to the site and began setting things to
rights. Which was quite a job--the site had been completely
demolished--it was heartbreaking. What we had seen on television was
minor compared to what we found--the place was in complete shambles--
seems they decided that once they had begun the destruction they would
finish it up completely--and they did.
We had just begun cleaning up when several smart-aleck rednecks
appeared and began hassling u. We got rid of them and went back to
work. Another one appeared--we eventually got talked him on down the
road. We realized later that these were "scouts sent out by the enemy
troops." We had just begun our simpl rite to close the circle when we
heard gunshots and trucks approaching and knew it was time to act! As
the site is on private land and the dirt road to it is a private road,
we blocked the road with a few dead trees after the first men showed
up. Thankfully. Up rumble 7 or 8 pickups/jeeps/four-wheelers, all
loaded with dyed-in-the-wool rednecks--most of them completely
intoxicated. Thank goodness for the barricade--they did stop--for a
while. A confrontation followed--you can probably imagine--or can you?
We never could have--before. We've heard a lot of language in our
lives, but never so much filth at one time out of human (and we use the
term loosely) mouths. Several of them came over the barricade, on
foot, to challenge us in their attempts to provoke us into a fight.
There were 5 males and 3 females in our group at the roadway, 18 to 20
men in theirs. That's the kind of odds they like. (What they didn't
know was that we had left 7 of our females at the circle site about 100
yards away) to send us energy, and 4 oher males stationed as watchers
in the woods between the roadway and the circle site.) It was funny, in
a way, that when they were counting odds, they stated "There's only 5
ofthem ," discounting the females they were aware of. That could have
been a fatal mistake! Severl of them came over the log barricade in
their trucks and within inches of running over several of us. Ever
have a big pickup with monster wheels coming at you annd stop just
inches away from your nose? Several of us did--and believe me, it is
not a pleasant feeling. They threw beer cans at us, but mostly it was
sewer verbage and threats. The confrontation lasted about 20 minutes,
luckily, no one was hurt, no damage done (except to our nerves). Not
one blow was thrown, although they did everything they could to push us
into it. Everyone stood there, calm, cool, and collected (on the
outside--but our astral knees were knocking). That was the saving
factor, for the rednecks couldn't deal with our apparent lack of fear.
Probably one of the few, if not the only times that someone faced them
down and they turned and left. It will take them a long time to get
over that.
SO proud of our folks! Through it all not one word was said by
our side that couldn't have been said in the First Baptist Church on
Sunday morning. In fact, the preacher probably said worse, for not
even one "hell" or "damn" was spoken from our side of the line, while
pure filth poured from the other side.
To back up a bit, after the first men came by, two of our group
went to call the police, to find out why they hadn't shown up and let
them know they were needed right away. It was almost an hour after
they left before a policeman arrived -- one man, one car. By the time
he arrived the rednecks had just left, we had finished closing the
circle, and were getting in our cars to leave.
Tuesday, October 1, a group of us went to file charges against
these people for trespassing and simple assault. Th detective was
saying there wasn't anything they could do--we kept saying there had to
be. Our attorney, who was with us, also kept saying something could be
done. Eventually, the detective became a bit more cooperative. We had
the license plate numbers of 5 of the trucks, the name of one man,
photos of some of them, and a tape recording of the entire incident.
Yes--we were well-armed in one respect. Just happened to have cameras
and tape recorders with us and the presence of mind to use them. The
tape came out loud and clear, so there is no question of who said what.
The detective finally called us back after identifying several of the
people through their license plate numbers and photos, and our attorney
advised us that our best course of legal action would be to file
criminal trespass warrents against the persons involved, leaving the
assault charges to the discretion of the judge who hears the trespass
case(es).
Many of you have asked what you could do to help. Your support
means so much to us for there is much to be done and so few of us to do
it. We certainly appreciate the positive energy which has come our
way--we have been very aware f it and know it has helped sustain us
through some harrowing times. What can you do to help? Energy
directed to help us through the harassment and legal battles; to
helping us find another site for our temple (with 30 to 40 people at
each sabbat and New Moon, living rooms get crowded); to helping us find
the finances for the legal fees (our attorney has spent, and will spend
many hours working on our behalf without charge, but he can't afford to
pay filing fees, deposition fees, etc., for s. And the USPS gets
richer while we get poorer. Even SASE's would help.)--all these are
very much needed. Information on how others have handled similar
situations would be helpful, also.
We have been asked, on several occasions, why we are standing to
fight instead of quietly folding our altar cloths and stealing back
into the shadows, as some have suggested we do. We are certainly not
doing it just for ourselves, as witnessed by the fact that at least two
people have lost their jobs and the rest of us realize we could be
next. It is costing us dearly--in money, time, energy, and wear and
tear on our nerves. One person walked out of work to find "witch"
scrawled across the windshield of her car--what will the next act be?
We believe if we allow this to happen without protest, then every other
group in our area, and in other areas, may meet with the same fate. We
are proud of our religion, and feel that we have as much right to
follow our beliefs openly as anyone else does. We do not ask others to
believe as we do--each person must walk their own path--but we do ask--
no, insist--that we be allowed to walk our path with dignity and in
sunlight, not in shadows. We are beginning to wonder if these
incidences of persecution (of us and other groups, and the Helms bill)
at this time could be part of some gigantic game plan. Perhaps the Lord
and Lady are tired of being hidden away in basements, back rooms,
garages, and secret places, and have decided that it is time to claim
Their Place in the Sun. And only we, Their sons and daughters, can
bring them out of the shadows and into the Sunlight. Going public and
fighting this injustice was not an easy decision to make, for we all
have much to lose--jobs, families, friends. But, someone, somewhere,
must make a stand--this time it is our turn. Others have done it before
us, we know others will have to do it again in the future, but each
time one of us wins a small skirmish, we altar the pattern of the
future. As several people have reminded us, all religions have gone
through a period of persecution. Those who perservered, who stood up
for their rights and religion, found acceptance. Where would the
Baptists, Methodists, Mormons, Catholics and other major faiths be
today if they had hidden in the shadows? Should we be less strong than
they? It is our dream that someday our children can walk proudly,
without fear, in the light of the Sun, to their Circle site. That's
why we are determined to see this through, as far as we can take it--
for ourselves, for our brothers and sisters of the Craft, and for the
future of all Pagans and Wiccans, wherever they may be.
To all of you, again, our sincere thanks for the support and
encouragement you are giving us in our struggle.
Brightest blessings!
Lady Galadriel, Lord Athanor, Lady Rhea