McCollum's day in court - Pagans are not "Second Tier"

Patrick McCollum has been tending to the religious needs of pagans in the CA prison system; often paying for such supplies as he can get in out of his own pocket, as well as not getting paid. He's been around since the '60's, just won a pair of interfaith awards, and still teaches with great passion and sincerity. I love his workshops at Pantheacon. He is suing to get equal access (and pay) as other ministers have in the prisons. CA prisons are saying paganism is a 'second tier' religion, and so don't have the "right" to such access and payment (I kid you not).

Pagan and like-minded peeps, if you can spare a little positive energy today, please send Patrick your blessings. :-)

from The Wild Hunt (awesome pagan news and occasional music blog):

In anticipation for what will most likely be a very trying and challenging day, Circle Sanctuary and the Lady Liberty League is calling for the Pagan community to send spiritual support and blessings.

“Send Spiritual Support and Blessings of Strength, Protection, Eloquence, Wisdom, and Success to Circle Minister Patrick McCollum and his legal team in the Quest for Religious Freedom and Equal Rights as they return to federal court — the Federal Court of Appeals on Thursday, October 7, 2010.

Rev. Patrick McCollum is currently engaged in federal litigation in the US 9th Circuit (McCollum, et al. v. CDCR, et al., C 04-03339 CRB) challenging the California Department of Corrections’ “Five Faiths” policy which recognizes only five major world religions for inclusion in California’s prison chaplaincy program. This important Pagan Rights Quest has been going on for seven years and has covered by mainstream media sources as well as Pagan media. For more information and to send messages of support, please go to Circle Sanctuary’s Lady Liberty League Patrick McCollum support page. This site includes a photo of Patrick that can be used as a focus.”