Advocates for the decriminalization of marijuana gathered in Keene, New Hampshire on Monday in Central Square to try and get their message heard. The crowd has grown from about 20 people to about 100 since the group began gathering on Tuesday. Many of them are smoking pot right out in the open.
They’ve gathered at 4:20 p.m. every day, a significant time in the cannabis culture. “We want to bring this message of freedom to as many people around the world as possible,” said Ian Freeman, who is a blogger on FreeKeene.com.
“We’re actually gonna come out here in public and make it known how we feel and put pressure on the politicians,” says Andrew Carroll, another protester who plans to run for office in 2010.
Local businesses owners have been watching (more…)
If they wouldn’t have arrested Evan, this never would have happened. Today, cops ignored the cannabis celebration completely. Here’s the raw footage of yesterday’s mass hotboxing of the Keene police’s lobby!
People again lit up for marijuana legalization in Keene’s Central Square Friday in a protest that’s given new meaning to the word “grassroots.”
Drivers honked. A sign proclaimed pot safer than prison. Even the soldier statue in Central Square got into the act with a sign that read “4:20 Everyday.”
During the ganja-happy gathering that’s recently become a daily event downtown, people congregate to smoke at 4:20 p.m., a number identified with the marijuana subculture.
“It started as two guys just smoking a joint every day. … I’m ecstatic about the way it’s turned out,” said Richard G. Paul, 40, of Keene, who said he was one of the event’s originators.
Surprised by how quickly these lone tokers multiplied this week, Paul said the rally’s purpose is “to point out to people that the war on drugs is a war on peaceful people.” (more…)
KEENE – Anti-drug-law advocates were out once again yesterday afternoon, and while some came dressed in costume, masked and with bongos, one left town square in handcuffs.
Jason Hart, 20, of Troy was arrested at a pro-marijuana rally by Troy police on a warrant for receiving stolen goods from an incident about a month ago, said Troy officer David Ellis.
“It had nothing to do with the meeting they were having in the square,” Ellis said. “It was on a totally unrelated warrant.” Although Ellis did say he was tipped off to Hart’s whereabouts from media coverage of the rallies. Hart is being held on $10,000 cash bail.
“He’s really not a bad kid,” Ellis said. “Actually, he autographed (more…)
I have no way to embed the video, but thanks to WBZ’s Dawn Hasbrouck for this video report. Here’s the text version of the story which includes a link to Free Keene!
