Pubdate: Mon, 20 May 2013
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Jason Nark

PROTESTERS: PAIR IN THE JOINT OVER POT

ALUMINUM BASEBALL bats, frying pans and bullhorns made 7th and Arch 
streets one noisy corner yesterday, as dozens of activists gathered 
outside the Federal Detention Center to protest arrests they said 
were made at a marijuana event Saturday.

"No victim, no crime," the crowd chanted on Arch Street as prisoners 
tapped on the narrow windows above.

According to the group of protesters, two men were being held at the 
detention center after being arrested Saturday afternoon at a monthly 
event at Independence Mall called the "Smokedown Prohibition." Many 
people openly smoke marijuana at the events to promote legalization, 
and no arrests have been made or citations issued in the past, the group said.

"This time was different," said Mike Whiter of PhillyNORML (the 
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws ).

A YouTube video from the event shows Park Police detaining a man 
identified as Adam Kokesh. Philadelphia marijuana activist Chris 
Goldstein of Freedom is Green, a marijuana-news site, said in a news 
release that five people were arrested. Whiter said Kokesh and a man 
identified as N.A. Poe were being held at the detention center.

Representatives from the National Park Service did not return several 
phone calls for comment yesterday.

Philadelphia police officers also can be seen on the video at the 
event Saturday. Officer Christine O'Brien said she had no information 
on the department's involvement.

A recent profile of Kokesh in the Washington Post described the 
former U.S. Marine as a "professional rabble-rouser." Poe is a 
comedian who hosts a podcast called "The Panic Hour."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom