Marijuana event crew gets blocked from stage
Northern News Services
Friday, April 24, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The organizer of the city's 4/20 marijuana rally claims her crew was prevented from using the access road to the stage at Somba K'e Plaza by city staff, who were aggressive and rude to them.
Kim MacNearney said the team was able to use the access road to set up a large tent for the event but when she came back later with other supplies, someone from the city prevented her from driving up to the stage even though she had a permit to be there.
"It was the same when the rally ended and the guys who set up my tent from the Lions Club told me they had never previously been prevented from driving near the stage," said MacNearney.
"They had to haul 800 pounds of equipment up to the parking lot and I had to get volunteers who were at the event to help me carry my tables and pamphlets back to my car.
"The man from the city was extremely rude, extremely aggressive and said, 'You are not allowed here - get out.'"
Three barrier posts were then installed on the driveway, preventing vehicle access to the area.
Afterward, according to MacNearney, an official with the city called her to explain that when people get a permit for an event at the plaza they need to let the city know they need vehicle access.
"This is my third year at the plaza and this is the first I'm hearing of this," said MacNearney. "I didn't even know that renting the plaza for $60 an hour did not get you access to the public washrooms."
She added this was the first time the rally was held during the week, when city staff were at work at city hall.
"It may just have been the first time anyone from the city had seen us using that access road," she said.
City officials initially said they would respond to questions about the incident but later declined to comment.
