Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2013
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Jason Nark
Page: 17

POT-BACKERS AGITATED, MELLOW IN COURT

TWO ACTIVISTS arrested at a pro-marijuana protest on Independence Mall
on Saturday had different reactions to the same bad news in court yesterday.

Authorities say Adam Kokesh, a former Marine, and Richard Tamaccio, a
comedian who goes by N.A. Poe, "assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded,
and interfered" with National Park rangers at Saturday's "Smokedown
Prohibition." U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Rueter ordered both men
held for a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday after Assistant
U.S. Attorney Richard Goldberg said Kokesh has been silent and
uncooperative and pointed out Tamaccio's alleged "substantial drug
use."

"Are you guys serious? Are you serious?" Tamaccio yelled as U.S.
Marshals ushered him out of the courtroom. "That's horrendous and you
know it."

Kokesh didn't appear to react at all - or have anything to say to
anyone, including Rueter.

"Can you hear me?" Rueter asked him.

Though organizers said Saturday was their fifth Smokedown Prohibition,
a spokeswoman for Independence National Historical Park said it was
only the second event for which the activists had obtained a permit.

"After the first event, we had suspicions that there might have been
illegal activity and we increased our police presence," spokeswoman
Jane Cowley said.

According to the criminal complaint, Tamaccio resisted officers'
attempts to control him and seize a marijuana cigarette they claim he
was holding. Kokesh, the complaint says, locked arms with another
person who was smoking pot, and also resisted when officers attempted
to control him.
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