Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jul 2002
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: Norm Siefken

POT SMOKER STANDS UP FOR COPS

To the editor:

Regarding Cst. Al Arsenault ("Odd Squad cop back on hot seat over e-mail," 
July 14), I believe the Charter rights of Mr. Arsenault should be respected.

I also attended the IDEAS conference, but as a protester. I smoked lots of 
awesome weed and I spoke out against the intolerant message of the IDEAS 
crowd. Hosting IDEAS in "Vansterdam" was about as brilliant as hosting a 
KKK rally at a reggae festival. Mostly, I smoked weed and socialized with 
my activist brethren.

I exercised my freedom of association, freedom of consciousness, freedom of 
assembly and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of 
rights and freedoms.

As much as I detest the American-influenced IDEAS agenda I support their 
right to meet and discuss it. I don't understand why the participation of 
cops is an issue, as long as they were off duty.

Norm Siefken,

Marijuana Party of Canada,

Chilliwack 
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