Initial reports indicated that Evan Pierce was released along with Rich Paul and Noah Wood after todays 420 event. I have come to learn that Evan is at the Cheshire County Correctional Facility.
I apologize for the mistake.
This makes 4 total activists in jail.
Six individuals were arrested by police this afternoon at Pumpkin Fest. The daily 420 event was moved to the area directly in front of City Hall due to the massive pumpkin display at Central Square. Rich Paul of Keene took to the megaphone in front a large crowd and at the proper time lit a pipe presumably containing marijuana, a plant. Police quickly surrounded Mr. Paul and placed him under arrest. Noah Wood and Evan Pierce were also seen lighting up and were arrested as well.
Three other individuals were also arrested at city hall, when asked about the charge officers indicated that they did not know why they were arresting the three. A witness reportedly saw one of the individuals attempt to enter the city hall building prompting police to arrest him. It is unknown at this time exactly what happened. Ryan Maddox, Dan Steward and Yadra, all from the Keene area.
Latest update: Rich Paul, Noah Wood and Dan Steward have been released; Ryan Maddox, Evan Pierce and Yadra are reported to be at the Cheshire County Correctional Facility.
In the name of “the children”, Keene’s daily 4:20pm cannabis celebration will move from Central Square across the street to where young, innocent eyes should never be – city hall.
Event promoter Rich Paul, the one man arrested for possession of marijuana since the beginning of the incredibly successful daily celebrations over a month ago, has announced that out of respect for the very small amount of public space available in the park, that the celebration will move to the front of city hall at 3 Washington St. in Keene. The event will return to Central Square as of Sunday.
Paul expects that tomorrow may be the biggest 4:20 celebration ever in Keene. Due to the threatened crackdown from Keene police, it is recommended that those who plan on toking bring joints and plan for a high arrest potential. Peaceful police countermeasures will be in effect. Please bring your recording devices. See you there!
Thanks to Brian Anderson at the Keene Equinox (Keene State College’s campus newspaper) for this story:
At 4:19 p.m. a one minute contdown excites a crowd in Central Square at Keene. A man in a shirt reading “4:20 everyday at 4:20” paraphrases Thomas Jefferson and yells, “I hope for the day when people don’t fear their government, but the government fears it’s people.”
As 4:20 p.m. arrives, cars passing by honk and yell out their support.
This has been the typical scene at Central Square for the last two weeks, as protestors have shown up in large numbers to protest the country’s drug laws by smoking marijuana in public.
Keene residents Noah Wood and Rich Paul started the movement after the TEA party in Central Square two weeks ago.
“We thought, what better way to protest drug laws then to smoke pot,” Wood said. “Then we thought, why not come back tomorrow? Then it kind of evolved from there.” (more…)
After a week of toking in Manchester, the Union Leader finally takes notice. Thanks to Mark Hayward for the story:
With glass pipes and odd-smelling cigarettes, protesters have taken to Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Manchester, lighting up at 4:20 p.m. daily, the same time as do protesters in downtown Keene.Participants yesterday said they started the effort Sept. 28, a week after the daily smoke-ins began in Keene. They say they light up to protest marijuana laws.
“There’s laws, and they shouldn’t be here. So many have tried to work within the system to change the laws, begging bureaucrats. But it never works,” said Travis Eden, a 24-year-old who lives in Manchester and works in information technology.
Eden said a video of him selling marijuana is posted on the FreeKeene Web site. (more…)
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