June 10, 2007
Dear Mayor and Respected members of the City Council

Today I collected 148 signatures on a petition in one hour. My health did not permit me to remain, or I would possibly collect twice as many. Virtually everyone at and around the Drum Circle was happy and grateful to sign my petition. I will bring it to the Council meeting this Tuesday at 7:00. Here is the petition:

THE DRUM CIRCLE SMOKERS PETITION

I consider myself a member of the Liberty Park Sunday Drum Circle. For me, the rhythm of the drums can be a spiritual experience. I have also discovered that smoking tobacco enhances that spiritual experience, just as our Native-American brothers have discovered.

I THEREFORE, the undersigned citizen of the State of Utah, respectfully request that the Salt Lake City Commission use Section 15.30.030 -- B, the exemption for bona fide religious purposes, to allow tobacco smoking at and within 100 yards of the Drum Circle during the drumming.

In exchange for this consideration, I agree to allow at least 10 feet between myself and non-smokers who ask not to be exposed to my second-hand smoke. I further agree to keep the area around me clean and leave no butts behind.

Thank you for considering this request.

Signed by 148 enthusiastic supporters. Please do not set this petition aside. Perhaps next Sunday you will want to visit the Drum Circle yourself and ask the participants about the spiritual experience they have with the drums and tobacco. Perhaps you think the government has the right to define a "bona fide" religion, as if the Founders never mentioned the right to the pursuit of harmless happiness.

I'll see you Tuesday.

Dr. Ken Larsen
801-533-8658
856 East 100 South #2
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
kencan@xmission.com
www.votekenlarsen.com
www.personalchoice.org