Thursday, March 27, 2008

Fundraising appeal, soon DEFENSEofRIGHTS.COM

04-13-08 Steve --Go ahead. And put out the word that it won't be a fair fight for a one-man law firm to go up against the state's Attorney General. We're asking for donations. Make checks out to
MN Tavern League and send them to:
Kenn RockerPresidentMN Tavern League
235 East RoselawnSuite 17
Maplewood, MN 55117
and put in the memo section Theater Night Defense Fund.-- Mark Benjamin

On top is a 04-09-08 Update from lawyer Mark Benjamin. It's been almost a decade since so-called "big tobacco" funded this. On the other side IMPACT, Now "Clean Air Minnesota has alleged received a $200 million dollar endowment from the MN tobacco settlement and has a $20 million dollar annual budget. Lawyer Mark Benjamin's new remarks are in grey just below this. The original message is in black below that. Greg Lang

04-09-08 Hi All --I am sending down to Kenn Rockler today a cashier's check for $1,270 to help in hiring an administrative law attorney. Kenn says that he has about $600 in the kitty right now. That's a drop in the bucket for the legal expenses we will incur -- but it's something.I encourage everybody to get the word out that this movement is going to take some money if we are to successfully counter the tactics of the Health Department.-- Mark Benjamin

Tavern League of Minnesota
235 East Roselawn., Suite 17
Maplewood, MN 55117
http://www.tavernleaguemn.org/

Email: kennrock@hotmail.com
Phone (651) 487-2149 or (877) 332-9257 Fax: (651) 487-21

March 25, 2008
This is an open letter to all individuals and businesses who are concerned with the erosion of ourcivil rights, the harm being done to thousands of employees, hundreds of businesses, the State of Minnesota’s budget, and hundreds of charities throughout Minnesota. We are talking about the extreme downturn in business that is a direct result of The Freedom To Breathe Act (FTBA), which went into effect October 1, 2007. The evidence is now in and the facts are conclusive, this legislation is causing severe economic damage to the hospitality industry. It is clear that the FTBA is going to result in more jobs being lost than the closing of the Ford Plant and a merger between Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines combined.
There are many people who fought against the bans but there is one person who has seized the opportunity to offer the industry the chance to re-open the issue at the Minnesota State Legislature. Attorney Mark Benjamin through his understanding of the Theatre Exemption provision in the FTBA, his willingness to assist bar owners in setting up their own theatre productions, and his willingness to defend (pro-bono) bar owners who are (have been cited) for using theatre nights in an attempt to save their businesses, has brought this issue to the attention of not only Minnesotans, but to people and the press from all over the world.
Mark is still working pro-bono and it is taking 110% of his time. In the meantime, he has incurred thousands of dollars in expenses in cell phone bills, travel expense, and office expense. This fight is for everyone who cares about our freedom as citizens, veterans, employees, and small businesses. We need to assist Mark in this fight. We are seeking your assistance to partially defer Mark’s expenses in this fight for all of our rights and for Mark to hire an administrative law attorney to address the unethical “bullying” tactics of the MDH. The Tavern League is setting up a dedicated fund to help in this fight. 100% of your donation will be going to Mark Benjamin’s Defense fund. None of this money is going to lobbying so it is 100% deductible and can be a personal or a business check. Please send your contributions whatever the amount you deem appropriate to the Tavern League at the above address. It doesn’t matter how small the amount you feel you can donate, this is everyone’s fight. Please include “Mark Benjamin’s Defense Fund” on the check.
We thank you sincerely for your contributions and your efforts in this fight.
Sheila Kromer Kenn Rockler

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