Pubdate: Tue, 22 Apr 2014
Source: Metro (London, CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://metronews.ca/London/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5477
Author: Scott Taylor

LONDON 4-20 PARTY A BUZZ KILL

Victoria Park: Councillor Defends Heavy Police Presence At Gathering

On Parliament Hill in Ottawa Sunday, news reports described a crowd of
about 2,000 people throwing Frisbees, listening to music and smoking
pot.

In Vancouver, thousands gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery for
their public celebration.

At London's Victoria Park, however, some in the crowd of about 100
people yelled at police and were repeatedly warned they would be
arrested if they lit up a joint.

One officer in the heavy presence of 16 to 20 cops filmed the
goings-on.

"It's unfortunate," said activist Eric Shepperd. "To the best of my
knowledge, London is the only city showing zero tolerance today. It's
a waste of police resources."

While it could be argued that Shepperd, who is involved with the
Occupy movement, has his own agenda to push, even the RCMP took a
hands-off approach to the gathering on the Hill.

In an interview with CBC news, an RCMP spokeswoman explained the lack
of charges, even as hundreds were smoking in plain sight.

"This is an annual event that has always been held in a peaceful
manner," said Cpl. Lucy Shorey.

"The RCMP respects the rights of individuals to protest on Parliament
Hill and that's what we're here for today."

But Ward 1 Coun. Bud Polhill, who fought against any kind of increase
in the 2014 police budget, sided with law and order on this case.

"I've always said you need to uphold the law and if the law says you
can't do it, you can't do it," he said.

"Because other municipalities are lax in enforcement, I wouldn't
suggest that we do that because that means we can be lax on other things."

A police spokesman said Chief Brad Duncan wasn't available Monday to
comment.

- - - -

'It's time'

Decriminalize 'ganja' laws, says Orser

"It's time that the federal government decriminalized the ganja
marijuana laws," Ward 4 Coun. Stephen Orser said. "That's number one.

"Second, the provinces should be able to control it. We should have a
Marijuana Control Board of Ontario. Taxation and provincial fines to
go to local municipalities and end the clog in the criminal court
system over these types of offences.

"The heavy police presence would not be necessary if we had these laws
in place."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D