Story Created:
Jul 27, 2010 at 8:35 PM PST
Story Updated:
Jul 28, 2010 at 6:24 PM PST
Leaders of a Rastafarian temple in Hollywood, who say their members use marijuana for religious purposes, Tuesday filed a lawsuit alleging they were wrongfully arrested due to a new city ordinance cracking down on collectives that sell the drug for medical purposes.
R. Edward Forchion and Charquant Leyou, along with the Liberty Bell Temple II, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging deprivation of the right to practice Rastafari without due process of law.
They also want a court order preventing authorities from interfering with their ability to operate their temple.
Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, said he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment.
According to the complaint, the temple received a letter from Assistant City Attorney Asha Greenberg on June 4, warning criminal prosecution and fines would follow if it did not close by June 7.
"Mr. Forchain notified Ms. Greenberg that Liberty Bell II operated as a Rastafarian temple where marijuana was used as a sacrament,'' the suit states.
The temple leaders say they sent back a letter explaining that the temple was not the same as Liberty Bell Temple or the House of Kush, both located in the Silverlake district.
But on June 14, police raided Liberty Bell Temple II and took six people into custody, according to the suit.
"During the raid and arrest, police officers made it known they were aware that Liberty Bell Temple II was operating as a Rastafari temple,'' the suit states. "However, because their name was on the list of organizations able to operate, the police (arrested) them ...''
Forchain and Leyou were both later charged with violating the new law, which went into effect in early June, the suit states.
Rastafarians worship former Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie as the second advent of Jesus Christ and hold religious services in which they smoke marijuana and consider it a sacrament, according to the lawsuit.
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