Pubdate: Mon, 18 Mar 2002
Source: Badger Herald (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Badger Herald
Contact: http://www.badgerherald.com/about/contact_staff.shtml
Website: http://www.badgerherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/711
Author: Jessica Peterson, City Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MAYORAL CONFERENCE, MARIJUANA ADVOCATES COMPETE FOR PERMITS

Applying Two Months Earlier, Marijuana Activists May Have More Rights Than 
Mayors To Parade Permit

To commemorate the U.S. Conference of Mayors this summer, the City of 
Madison planned to host a downtown parade June 15. But the procession of 
mayors may have to yield to a pro-marijuana group if the city's Street Use 
Staff Team agrees to grant a similar permit to a pro-marijuana group.

Marijuana activist Ben Masel, leader of the legalize marijuana and free 
speech group Weedstock.com, reportedly applied for a permit to close Martin 
Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 14-15.

Masel said he applied for the permit in May with the hopes of offering a 
stage with speakers and music. He said the group proposed to have 
information booths and carry signs to "get their message across" to the 
mayors during the conference.

But two months later, the city's conference hosting committee reportedly 
applied for a permit to close the street for a parade that would overlap 
Masel's event.

The committee hopes to use the street for a procession of mayors from the 
state Capitol to the Monona Terrace. The parade would feature stilt 
walkers, a drum and bugle corps, giant flags and inflatable figures during 
its two-block march to the Terrace rooftop.

The conference, set for June 13-18, would include mayors from across the 
country and could possibly see a visit from President Bush.

Kelli Lamberty of the Street Use Staff Team told the Wisconsin State 
Journal that permits are usually granted in order of application. But in 
this case, she said the city hopes for a compromise.

"We can let them parade through, but that's about it," Masel said. "If they 
think they can shut down free speech for everyone else, they've got another 
thing coming."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager