Pubdate: Sat, 04 Aug 2012
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Kristina Davis

MUSEUM OF ART DENIES FUNDING ACTIVISTS' HOAX

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Museum of Art denied on Friday media 
reports that it funded a hoax staged by medical marijuana activists this week.

Tuesday's hoax, which included fake news releases purportedly from 
U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy and fake notices to pharmacies about 
closing them, was organized by Americans for Safe Access, the 
nation's largest medical cannabis advocacy group. The Yes Men, a New 
York-based performance art group, and Canvass for a Cause, an LGBT 
activist group, also participated.

The Balboa Park museum had asked The Yes Men to give a lecture July 
27 as part of the museum's Summer Salon Series. The lecture was an 
overview of the nonprofit group and what they do, and was considered 
a successful event, a museum spokesman said.

While in San Diego, The Yes Men asked the museum for help connecting 
to other activist groups, the spokesman said.

The group then held a separate workshop at an art studio, which 
included Americans for Safe Access, and the idea for the hoax was 
born out of a brainstorming session there. The goal of the workshop 
was to help activist groups carry out "media-getting creative 
actions," according to The Yes Men's website.

The museum was not involved in the workshop but had offered to 
reimburse $100 to participating organizations. No one applied for the 
money, and no funds were supplied, the spokesman said.

"The San Diego Museum of Art did not pay for or support any component 
of this hoax, nor any other programs created by workshop 
participants," museum Executive Director Roxana Velasquez said in a statement.

Eugene Davidovich, local coordinator for Americans for Safe Access, 
said he was invited to participate in The Yes Men's workshop in an 
email from the museum and still plans to apply for the $100 reimbursement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom