Pubdate: Sat, 10 May 2014
Source: Prague Post (Czech Republic)
Copyright: 2014 The Prague Post
Contact:  http://www.praguepost.cz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/346
Author: Raymond Johnston

THOUSANDS PARADE THROUGH PRAGUE TO URGE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

The annual Million Marijuana March took place May 10, starting at
Prague's Karlovo namAsti at around 1 p.m. and stopping briefly in
Wenceslas Square before going under police escort up through Vinohrady
and eventually ending up in ParukaAka, a hilltop park in the A=iA)kov
district of Prague 3.

A brief speech before the parade started met with polite applause, as
just few people near the main truck could hear it.

While official estimates are not yet available, several thousand
people, many with banners urging the legalization of marijuana, as
well as flags with Rastafarian symbols and pirate flags, followed a
truck with a DJ and live musicians. Pictures of reggae singer Bob
Marley on shirts and backpacks were also quite prominent.

A small number of people carried signs against legalization of
marijuana, but they were largely ignored by the crowd.

The Pirate Party, which has a pro-legalization stance, was prominent
before the march began, with supporters trying to obtain signatures on
petitions. They were also handing cards reminding people to vote in
the upcoming European Parliament elections. The cards were perforated
so they could be torn and used as filters on hand-rolled cigarettes.

The parade made it to its final destination without incident. At
ParukaAka, there were two stages set up for music as well as stands
selling marijuana related items such as rolling papers and pipes.

The event drew people of all ages, with some elderly people holding
signs saying they wanted access to medical marijuana, as well as
families with small children and dogs.

The organizers have a list of goals including the legalization of
medical marijuana, opening a dialogue about marijuana in the European
Parliament, responding to police action against shops that sell
growing supplies, and the conflict of current marijuana laws with the
Czech Constitution.
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MAP posted-by: Matt