Pubdate: Mon, 15 Feb 2016
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Tereza Verenca
Page: 2

PARK BOARD FUMING OVER SUNSET BEACH 4/20 RALLY

Pot Protest Safety Risks Cited by Board Chairwoman

The news that Vancouver's annual 4/ 20 pot protest is moving to 
Sunset Beach this year isn't sitting so well with the park board.

Chairwoman Sarah Kirby-Yung told Metro the location isn't appropriate 
and there are many concerns to weigh.

"Demonstrators will not only violate the park board's smoking bylaws, 
which cover all beaches, but will block parts of the seawall, a 
nearby daycare and the aquatic centre," she said.

Another concern is having tens of thousands of people at the 
waterfront, something she said could pose a safety risk.

"There were 64 hospitalizations in the 2015 4/20 event," she noted.

Kirby-Yung said alternative venues for the smokefest - which 
attracted some 20,000 bud enthusiasts last year - could be Larwill 
Park or Concord Pacific-owned land near the viaducts.

The worldwide pro-marijuana event, which has people light up at 4:20 
p.m. on April 20, has to find a new home for a couple of reasons. 
First, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery is slated for 
major renovations this spring. Second, attendance is growing to the 
point where downtown Vancouver is no longer a viable option.

"We believe the beach is a safe place because sand won't go on fire 
and we'll make sure we'll have ashtrays and any sort of garbage 
collection for any of the refuse left behind," 4/20 organizer Jodie 
Emery said in an interview with the CBC.

Because this is an unsanctioned and un-permitted event, 4/20 
organizers won't be applying for a permit.

"We're doing everything required of a permitted event to make sure 
it's safe and secure," Emery said in the interview.

Kirby-Yung, meanwhile, said none of the park-board commissioners were 
consulted about relocating the peacefully rally to Sunset Beach, 
which falls under its jurisdiction.

"The park board is very disappointed this happened without 
consultation with the elected board," she said, adding the board's 
concerns will be sent in a letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson on Monday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom