Pubdate: Sat, 21 Aug 2004
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Canadian Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POLICE SHUT DOWN QUEEN'S PARK POT RALLY

A marijuana protest turned nasty today when at least two people were 
detained during scuffles with city police on a park lawn near the 
provincial legislature.

The dustup started after police -- accompanied by municipal bylaw officers 
and parks officials -- shut down the Canabian Day festival, a pro-pot rally 
when Toronto organizers failed to produce the necessary permits and insurance.

"The major issue is the fact that we couldn't get any insurance," said 
organizer Marko Ivancicevic.

"Basically, the last two years we've tried to get the (event) insurance but 
they keep denying us because it is a marijuana-based event."

Several hundred demonstrators were barred from accessing a rented stage and 
using any sound equipment, including microphones and speakers, pulling the 
plug on a scheduled concert by six pro-marijuana bands.

Tempers flared when a young male had his glasses smashed as he was 
restrained by officers after propping a protest sign reading, Legalize It 
and Weed My Lips, against a statue of King Edward.

"As far as I know, my friend was just standing there holding a sign, and 
then next thing I know, the cops are putting him in the back of a paddy 
wagon," said Dan Adams.

"He didn't do anything."

A second protester, also holding a placard, tripped over a skateboard as he 
was put into a nearby cruiser, prompting jeers from the crowd.

No names were released and it was not known if any charges were laid.

Another demonstrator, Dominick Cramer -- who runs the non-profit Toronto 
Compassion Centre, which provides therapeutic marijuana to people who are 
sick -- was warned by police that he too could face arrest after he got 
into a shouting match with officers.

"This is ridiculous," Cramer said.

"The cops for some reason decided to get violent and threatening kids that 
were just holding a sign ... He wasn't smoking up, he was just holding a sign."

Police spokesman Sgt. Joseph Gataveckas said he wasn't aware of any arrests 
today.

"Like any protest, (officers are) there to keep the peace and to make sure 
that no one breaks the law," Gataveckas added.

Similar protests were also slated for Hamilton and Niagara Falls.

Statistics Canada reported last month that about three million Canadians, 
or 12.2 per cent, used cannabis at least once in the last year, with the 
highest rates of use among teens.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has promised to introduce legislation to 
decriminalize the possession of small quantities of the drug.

The Toronto arrests, however, only emboldened protesters who flagrantly lit 
joints and passed out "chronic candy."

Others -- like Steven Bacon, a medical marijuana user -- wore his Health 
Canada permit on is forehead as he clung to a live pot plant and addressed 
the crowd.

Bacon, who suffers from spinal cord and digestive problems, likened the 
Toronto arrests to the recent sentencing of another marijuana advocate in 
Saskatchewan.

Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party and founder of Cannabis 
Culture magazine, was sentenced Thursday to three months in jail after 
pleading guilty to passing a joint to a supporter last March.

"Mark is being made an example of by the justice system," Bacon told the 
crowd. "They've put him in jail for 90 days, for God's sakes."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager