Pubdate: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: John Colebourn PM GETS BUMPY RIDE AT PROJECT OPENING A large contingent from the Occupy Vancouver movement picketed Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a media event he was attending with Premier Christy Clark on Friday to open Science World's $35-million "Regeneration" upgrade project. Demonstrators outside the event held up signs telling Harper to legalize pot and provide more money for social programs. "For me, I am here to stand up for aboriginal people," said protester Jerilynn Webster, 28. "They need to look after our children. I don't agree with this government's priorities." Pot activist Jodie Emery said Harper should pay heed to what citizens on the West Coast are saying, particularly about marijuana prohibition. Emery referred to the call last week by former Vancouver mayors Mike Harcourt, Philip Owen, Larry Campbell and Sam Sullivan for the legalization and taxation of marijuana production, to which current mayor Gregor Robertson confirmed his own commitment on Thursday. "With Gregor Robertson also joining, it makes four former mayors and one current one calling for change," she said. "The only ones benefiting from [marijuana] prohibition are the police, politicians and gangsters." But Harper had a swift response to the calls for legalization. "No, it will not happen," he said. "We are strongly opposed to the legalization of drugs and very concerned about the threat of drugs to our country." The PM had earlier spoken on the less controversial subject of inspiring young minds of the future with the upgrading of Science World. [snip] - --- MAP posted-by: Matt