Law enforcement talks about raid and protest training
By Jessica De Nova/KTVL.com

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore.-Law enforcement officers said opponents of Thursday's arrests for suspected illegal marijuana sales, did nothing wrong in speaking up against police.

Brandi Rodriguez, was one of the protestors. Rodriguez's parents, Lee and Lori Duckworth, and two others were arrested Thursday, suspected of selling marijuana from four store fronts in Medford and Gold Hill.

Rodriguez asked enforcement officers, "Do you feel like an American," referring to their execution of Thursday's drug bust and arrests.

"It's inherent with our job sometimes that people aren't gonna like us. They're not gonna like what we do and our efforts to enforce laws and to maintain civility in our community," said Sgt. Kerry Curtis with Medford Police Department.

Curtis said people have every right to say what they wish. "It's absolutely legal and they have that right in this country to protest whatever it is that they think is worthy of protest," said Curtis.

Curtis said law enforcement is trained to deal with those situations and understand the legalities involved. "In the event that it becomes riotous or violent or disruptive or damaging to property that's where we'll step in and we'll be able to take enforcement action," said Curtis.

Patrol Deputy, Eric Henderson, with the Jackson county Sheriff's Office said officers don't only prepare for the aftermath that may come from big busts like Thursday's, but for the raids themselves, "Specifically for a S.W.A.T. team or raids that go on for drug busts, things like that, it's all pre-planned out. We practice going into the house, you know, make-shift house, or just practice what each person is gonna do, their role that's gonna be involved in that," said Henderson.

Henderson said although they may not like it, people and suspects usually cooperate when law enforcement gets on scene for a bust.

For those who may have something to say about police doing their job, Henderson said the cussing and yelling does not break any laws. "Maybe they had a bad experience with law enforcement [...] as long as a person is not committing a crime and they're just expressing their own opinion, it's not against the law to do that," said Henderson.

Locals join global march against Monsanto
By Jessica De Nova/KTVL.com

MEDFORD, Ore.-Locals joined the March Against Monsanto Saturday.

The event was part of a global movement in more than 44 countries.

Protesters walked from Vogel Plaza to a rally in Alba Park to bring awareness to the use of genetically modified organisms, or GMO's.

Local organizer, Paige Imbrogno, said there are about 14 local sugar beet farms using engineered seeds from the Swiss company, Syngenta, and contaminating organic produce. "These seeds and these plants are very potent they're very virulent and they will spread to any plants that are in the vicinity," said Imbrogno.

GMO Free Jackson County was at the rally collecting signatures against Senate Bill 633. If passed, the bill would give local control of agricultural seed and seed products to the state.

Dozens rally in support of marijuana suspects
By Whitney Clark/KTVL.com

MEDFORD, Ore. -- About 50 people gathered outside the Medford city hall Friday night, some wielding signs chanting "Free Lee and Lori."

Protestors rallied outside the police station to support the four people arrested after yesterday's medical marijuana dispensary raids.

Among those arrested were Lee and Lori Duckworth. Lori is the director at SoNORML and a well-known medical marijuana advocate in the community.

Lori's daughter was at the rally, speaking to her mom on the phone from jail.

The Duckworth's supporters were encouraging everyone to get out and vote to legalize marijuana. Others spoke about how Lori was very helpful to the community, saying the SoNORML office was also a place for people to get food and clothes if needed.