Oakland, California – The Ritual Church of Community Ceremony, a minority-run psychedelic church, finds itself at the center of a distressing incident that raises crucial questions about religious freedom, racial justice, and the targeted enforcement of laws pertaining to entheogenic plants. Despite being protected under the Religious Freedom Act, the president of the church has been unjustly jailed on multiple felony charges, including cultivation and transportation of spores. This alarming raid, conducted with the assistance of the US Marshal, raises concerns about the violation of our rights and the targeting of our community.
The Ritual Church of Community Ceremony has long been a sanctuary for individuals seeking spiritual growth, holistic well-being, and racial justice. Embracing the cultural and therapeutic significance of entheogenic plants, our church has provided a safe space for individuals to explore their spirituality and engage in responsible practices. As staunch advocates for the rights of our congregation and the wider plant medicine community, we are deeply troubled by the recent events that have unfolded.
The city of Oakland, in a pioneering move, passed a resolution decriminalizing entheogenic plants, including psychedelic mushrooms and other psychoactive substances. This resolution specifically states that city money will not be used to enforce laws imposing criminal penalties for the use and possession of these plants by adults. Further, investigating individuals for growing, buying, distributing, or possessing these substances is deemed a low law enforcement priority. The resolution was a significant step towards a more enlightened and compassionate approach to entheogenic plant use, promoting personal freedom and individual well-being.
However, the recent raid on the Ritual Church of Community Ceremony raises serious concerns about the implementation and adherence to this resolution. It is disheartening to witness the city’s resources being utilized to target a legitimate church that provides spiritual guidance and support to its congregation. This unjustified raid not only violates our religious freedom but also disrupts the sacraments and spiritual practices of our veteran congregation, leaving them without access to the healing benefits of entheogenic plants.
We question the allocation of city funds and resources towards raiding a church that is protected under the Religious Freedom Act and operates within the framework of the decriminalization resolution. This raises broader questions about the priorities of the city of Oakland, particularly in light of the significant budget cuts and the need to prioritize essential services amid a challenging fiscal landscape.
We urge the plant medicine community and advocates of religious freedom to stand in solidarity with the Ritual Church of Community Ceremony. This targeted raid not only affects our church but also sends a chilling message to other minority-run psychedelic churches and the wider plant medicine community. It is an attack on our rights and the fundamental principles of religious freedom and personal sovereignty.
We call upon the city of Oakland to reevaluate its actions and to rectify this unjust situation. We demand transparency and accountability regarding the circumstances that led to the raid on our church and the subsequent arrest of our president. This incident raises questions about the racial justice implications of such targeted enforcement, and we implore the city to address these concerns in a meaningful and equitable manner.
The Ritual Church of Community Ceremony remains committed to promoting racial justice, spiritual growth, and holistic well-being within our community and beyond. Despite the challenges we currently face, we will continue to advocate for the rights of our congregation and work towards a society that embraces the healing potential of entheogenic plants.
To support the Ritual Church of Community Ceremony and join our call for justice, we encourage the plant medicine community, advocates of religious freedom, and individuals passionate about racial justice to stand with us. Together, we can ensure that our rights are protected, our voices are heard, and our community continues to thrive.