Pubdate: Tue, 16 Feb 2016
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Matthew Robinson
Page: A4

POLITICAL BATTLE FLARES UP OVER POT PROTEST MOVE TO SUNSET BEACH

Board Head Expresses 'Grave Concerns' Over Use of Park Land

A political battle over Vancouver's annual 4/20 pot protest and 
farmers market flared up early Monday with blunt words from the head 
of the park board to Mayor Gregor Robertson.

In a letter to the mayor, Sarah Kirby-Yung expressed "grave concerns" 
that city staff - without knowledge of elected park board 
commissioners - had told 4/20 organizers to consider moving the event 
to Sunset Beach Park.

Should the "illegal, unsanctioned and unpermitted" event go ahead on 
park land, Kirby-Yung warned, all costs incurred by the board "will 
be solely borne by the City of Vancouver."

"Further, any legal liabilities as a result of any unfortunate 
accident, injury or death shall be the sole responsibility of the 
City of Vancouver," she said.

Smoking of any kind is prohibited on Vancouver's beaches and in its 
parks, Kirby-Yung said, and she concluded her letter with a request 
for a sit-down with the mayor, a member of Vision Vancouver.

The Non-Partisan Association-led park board has jurisdiction over 
most of the city's green spaces.

For more than two decades, the 4/20 event has been held at the 
Vancouver Art Gallery. But with the event's strong attendance and its 
perceived evolution from protest to marijuanafarmers market, 
officials have sought to relocate the gathering.

City staff proposed either Sunset Beach or a parking lot near the 
south end of the Cambie Street Bridge as suitable alternate 
locations, 4/20 organizer Jodie Emery said last week.

Acting city manager Sadhu Johnston said in a statement Monday that he 
expects this year's event will require fewer city resources due to 
its new location, which is outside the downtown core and not near any 
major roads.

He said the 4/20 protest event has outgrown its location at the VAG, 
become incredibly disruptive and increasingly unsafe. City staff 
worked with organizers to find an alternate location on city 
property, he said, adding that the city did not tell the organizers 
to go to Sunset Beach Park.

"However," he said, "last fall the organizers informed city staff 
that they were interested in Sunset (Beach) Park as a new location. 
City staff told the protest event organizers that they would not be 
able to issue an event permit at this location since it was a park 
board property.

"Since last fall, city staff, including staff from the park board, 
have been working with the organizers on a public safety plan as this 
remains our No. 1 priority."

Robertson released a brief statement late Monday, encouraging 
Kirby-Yung to discuss her concerns with the organizers of the 4/20 protest.

- - With a file from Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom