Pot rally for 4/20
March to legalize marijuana use goes off without a hitch
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, April 23 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The 4/20 pot rally was held without incident on Sunday for the third year in a row, drawing a motley crew of about 20 people.
The march travels down Veteran's Memorial Drive on Sunday afternoon. - photo courtesy of Kim MacNearney |
"My first year it was just myself and my sign walking around downtown for a couple of hours," said Kim MacNearney, the rally organizer.
This year MacNearney was joined by many young people, some as young as 13 years old. MacNearney said she didn't mind the younger crowd at all because it teaches them an important lesson.
"That's what I expected and that's OK with me. Everybody has to know that you have to speak out for what you believe in," she said.
Once they got themselves organized and pro-legalization merchandise was handed out, the march began. They walked eastward along 49 Avenue from the Somba K'e Civic Plaza, up 49 Street to 50 Avenue, where they then marched back to their starting point, obeying crosswalk signals along the way.
Many honks of support from passing motorists, and well-wishing high-fives from pedestrian passersby, were shared along the way.
When the marchers returned to the plaza there were munchies in the form of a cake, made by Independent Grocer, which was served at 4:20 p.m, the traditional hour on which the annual April 20 rally is held.
There was controversy last week as the Yellowknife Co-Op, which sold the cake last year, refused to bake another this year, comparing the marijuana leaf design to racist or pornographic images.
George Lessard, a Co-op member who participated in the march, was less than thrilled with the store's decision.
"I disagree with the Co-Op's censoring, what's the next thing, they don't agree with someone's religion?" he asked.
"I'd like to see in their bylaw that they couldn't do that."
This year's rally was funded by B.C. philanthropist Bob Erb, who has been donating to pot rallies and other causes across Canada since he won $25 million in a Lotto Max draw in 2012.
"He funded the whole thing, paid for the tent,
donated the shirts and hats and pins - all of the swag," said MacNearney.
While enjoying the white and green cake, protester and rally volunteer Thomas van Damme explained why he came to the rally.
"I came to help set up and definitely support the cause, because I'm tired of a bunch of politicians criminalizing me for wanting to light a joint instead of cracking a beer when I get home on a Friday," said van Damme.
"Marijuana is less damaging for you than alcohol or cigarettes," van Damme's friend Michal Sobierajski said.
- with files from Walter Strong
