Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2008
Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)
Copyright: 2008 The Desert Sun
Contact: http://local2.thedesertsun.com/mailer/opinionwrap.php
Website: http://www.thedesertsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112
Author: Lorraine Whetstone, Staff Writer
Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

YOUTH ORGANIZES "MILLION PERSON MARIJUANA MARCH OF PALM SPRINGS" THIS
SATURDAY

An 18-year-old has organized a march Saturday in Palm Springs to
protest the continued prohibition of marijuana, according to a press
release.

Organizer Aurora Maldonado grew up in Desert Hot Springs "where
marijuana was just a part of the natural order of things," according
to the release. She now lives in Palm Springs.

"I never saw any problems caused by marijuana, and I saw how it helped
people. I had friends who got in trouble with the law over it, and I
thought it was just stupid, and I wanted to do something about it,"
Maldonado is quoted in the release. "When I saw an ad for the Million
Marijuana March in High Times Magazine, I called them up and decided
to hold a march here."

Marchers will meet at the parking lot structure at Baristo and Indian
Canyon at 11:15 a.m., and are expected to travel through downtown Palm
Springs handing out information about marijuana and encouraging people
to speak to their elected officials.

"We may be young, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't work to liberate
marijuana," she's quoted. "Many young people use, and it is way better
for them to use marijuana than alcohol."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin