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Canada: Cannabis Day organizers claim intimidation and aggressive tactics by Vancouver police

Travis Lupick

Straight

Friday 03 Jul 2015

The City of Vancouver recently moved to normalize the business of medicinal marijuana dispensaries, but that doesn’t mean it’s letting anybody sell pot wherever they please. On July 1, a scuffle between police and pro-marijuana activists broke out at the Vancouver Art Gallery and several people were arrested.

The VPD was quick to share its side of the story, posting messages online that accused Cannabis Day attendees of selling marijuana to “youth”.

“The man was arrested and officers were immediately confronted and swarmed,” reads a media release. “Police were required to pepper spray at least one person to complete the arrest.”

Four people were arrested and the VPD has said it will likely recommend charges.

Now, Cannabis Day organizers have responded with their version of events.

“Early yesterday (July 1) when activists arrived at the Art Gallery, police and City of Vancouver officials were patrolling the grounds in unprecedented numbers,” reads a blog post written by Cannabis Day organizer Jeremiah Vandermeer. “A group of police stood on each corner and groups of roving officers circled the grounds. It was intimidating to say the least, since we are used to very few officers on site.”

The demonstrators (or vendors, depending on our point of view), also took issue with VPD officers filming their activities.

“Other officers, including one holding a surveillance camera and broadcasting equipment, walked into the areas where activists and protesters gathered, pointing the camera directly at people in what seemed like a provocative gesture,” the post continues.

Vandermeer then describes the physical altercation with police.

“Neil Magnuson – a cannabis activist and financial agent for the Marijuana Party of Canada – was approached by police and city officials and forbidden from setting-up a table or selling cannabis,” he writes. “Neil protested, explaining to authorities that he had a right to peaceful civil disobedience and freedom of assembly as granted by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Without warning, more than a dozen officers surrounded and attempted to grab Neil and other protestors. The activists locked arms with each other – what we call 'Hug Power' – another non-violent technique used to exercise civil disobedience in opposing what we believe are unjust laws.

“Police aggressively pulled apart protesters, shoved members of the crowd and arrested Neil and several other people. A man was taken to the pavement by two officers, arrested and then let go with a citation for jay-walking. Two women were detained and let go after a few minutes.

“Neil was taken to the police station and held until later Wednesday night. Police reported he was arrested for selling marijuana to youth, though selling to youth was not mentioned before or during the arrest.”

The other two men arrested were David Malmo-Levine and Cameron McDonald, according to the blog post.

Event organizers have vowed the annual event will go ahead in 2016.

“Cannabis Day and 4/20 Vancouver organizers are committed to working with the city and police in the future to relocate the rallies to another location they find more appropriate,” Vandermeer’s post concludes. “Whether officially-sanctioned or not, the Cannabis Day and 4/20 Vancouver protests will go on, and we will continue our quest for the rights and freedoms of cannabis consumers and all Canadian citizens.”

In related news, it has since been revealed one of those individuals arrested for selling marijuana at the Cannabis Day protest was Bert Easterbrook, a recipient of the VPD certificate of merit. In 2013, Easterbrook was bestowed the civilian honour for bravery for preventing violence and property destruction during the Stanley Cup riot in June 2011.

“Bert Easterbrook saw rioters trying to flip over a green truck,” reads a VPD document. “He stepped in to stop it, actually removing burning debris from inside the truck. He was swarmed by the mob.”

In a July 2, 2015, interview with the Canadian Press, Easterbrook vowed to “burn” the award.

“It’s absolutely ironic,” he said.

https://www.straight.com/blogra/482886/cannabis-day-organizers-claim-intimidation-and-aggressive-tactics-vancouver-police

 

 

 

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