Pubdate: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 Source: Capital Times, The (WI) Copyright: 2004 The Capital Times Contact: http://www.captimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73 Authors: Judith Davidoff and Steven Elbow Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ben+Masel HEMP SIGN BRINGS FINE FOR MASEL Local pro-marijuana activist Ben Masel got to see most of the John Kerry rally, save for a quick trip to the Madison police station. Masel was arrested by police after trying to get into the rally with a sign urging people to grow hemp. The tickets for the rally clearly stated that no outside signs were allowed. Masel said he insisted to security personnel that he had a right to enter the rally with a sign that read "One acre of hemp equals 20 barrels of oil." "I decided I had a right to carry it in a traditional public forum," he said. Masel said he was refused entry and got "roughed up by union guys working security" before being arrested by Madison police officers. He received a $412 ticket for disorderly conduct, a fine that was recently doubled by the City Council. Masel said he returned to the rally after being arrested and joined the crowd, with his sign, at the same location where he had previously been refused entry. "By then, they were not staffing the checkpoint," he said. Masel, 50, has a long record of minor offenses since 1982, mostly disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, in connection with his activism. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake