Pubdate: Wed, 08 May 2002 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Lewis Pearsall SMOKIN' PROTEST IGNORED Re: Pot freedom fighters fully baked, May 6. Monday's Star informed us that a recent poll showed that Canadians believe that Canadian media are biased and sensationalistic (Canadians skeptical of media, poll finds, May 6). The same day's Star provided ample evidence of press bias in the story concerning Toronto's annual Million Marijuana March. What was really smokin' about the event was not, as your reporter states, the pizza stand, but the orderliness of the happening: People assembled civilly in front of City Hall, voiced their concerns, formed quietly into a parade and marched off; police, particularly those in black riot gear, were conspicuous by their absence. Compare this with other recent events in this city, when police were out in force to confront and intimidate an assembly of concerned citizens, police and marchers fought each other, police on horses charged into crowds, arrests were made, property was damaged and injuries were common. Your reporter obviously couldn't get past his bias and observe the positive difference of this event and the manner in which it played out on Sunday. He needs to lighten up. We need more of these kinds of peaceful, un-sensationalistic, non-confrontational events in our city. Lewis Pearsall Toronto - --- MAP posted-by: Beth