The Keene Equinox Reports on the Absence of Activist Arrests at Pumpkin Fest

by | Oct 24, 2010 | 58 comments

Thanks to Andrew Reynolds at the Keene Equinox for this piece:

A year after six protestors were arrested for allegedly smoking pot, the scene at this year’s Pumpkin Fest remained relatively joyous and peaceful.

Last year, state and local police officers encircled a group of 15 to 25 pro-marijuana demonstrators in front of City Hall and interrupted their gathering after three of the protestors supposedly lit up a marijuana cigarette. Later, three more protestors were arrested and charged with misdemeanors.

Both the protestors and the wafting tang of marijuana smoke were absent this year. Yet police officers still poured out of the City Hall entrance. Within the half hour between 3:30 and 4:00, more than 10 officers unhurriedly emerged from the building. This time there were no signs, no megaphones, and no pot parties.

According to a Free Keene member who witnessed the demonstration at City Hall, at least a dozen police officers surrounded last year’s group of about 20 protestors. (more…)