Pubdate: Sun, 11 Sep 2005
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Rachel Boomer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

RALLY HELD FOR POT ACTIVIST

Even if you don't smoke pot, John Cook thinks you should care about the 
fate of Vancouver pot activist Marc Emery.

"Unless a Canadian citizen is a danger to the public, wanted on murder 
warrants, then they shouldn't be extradited," Cook said yesterday.

"We might be of a different culture, but we're all still Canadian citizens. 
We should be concerned about American interference on Canadian soil."

Cook was one of about 30 people who attended a Cannabis Liberation Day 
rally in Emery's support yesterday afternoon at the Grand Parade.

Emery was arrested in Law-rencetown, Annapolis Co., on July 29, and his pot 
paraphernalia store was raided after a warrant was issued at the request of 
U.S. justice officials.

The U.S. government wants to extradite Emery and try him for selling 
cannabis seeds out of his store in downtown Vancouver, and over the 
Internet. If convicted, Emery could face a sentence of 10 years to life in 
prison.

Selling active marijuana seeds in Canada is illegal, but Emery's lawyer has 
claimed Emery has tacit permission from Canadian authorities, because he's 
been doing it openly for years.

Yesterday's event included out-of-town speakers and local medical marijuana 
activists, along with a sound system blasting party music. The 30 people 
scattered around the Grand Parade mostly wore buttons or T-shirts of support.

Still, marijuana activist Scott Burke, 24, argued Canadians oppose Emery's 
extradition, even if they don't attend their local rally. Burke pointed to 
the support of groups such as the Council of Canadians as proof the issue 
is gaining mainstream support.

"It's bigger than only marijuana. This is more broadly about Canadian 
sovereignty and us enforcing our laws selectively, based on the Americans 
wanting us to," Burke said.

"We have to take our own road. We have to have a backbone."
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