Pubdate: Mon, 27 Mar 2017
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Wanyee Li
Page: A1

FINDING A HOME FOR THE POT RALLY

Council to look at motion to work with organizers

Vancouver city council will consider whether it should work with local
4/20 protest organizers to find a new location for the annual pot
rally, which failed to receive a permit from the Park Board for Sunset
Beach.

The main reason for the motion is money, according to Coun. Adriane
Carr, who plans to table the motion Tuesday.

"I'm a pragmatic person. I rather see the event permitted and then the
cost born by the event organizers, not by the citizens," she told Metro.

Marijuana activist and 4/20 organizer Dana Larsen has said he applied
for a permit from the Park Board because it would help organizers pay
their share of policing and clean-up costs. He told Metro his aim was
to work with authorities to ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible.

But the park board voted to reject a motion to give a permit to 4/20,
largely because it would violate the board's no smoking bylaw in
parks. Carr, who lives in the West End, says she heard many complaints
about smoke and crowds after last year's 4/20 event at Sunset Beach.

If Carr's motion passes, city staff will work with event organizers
and consult with the public on other possible locations for the pot
rally.

Several options include the Pacific National Exhibition grounds,
Larwell Park (parking lot northeast of BC Place), or the lot in South
False Creek where the Cavalia tents are currently set up.

The city has a duty to allow people to protest peacefully - that
includes 4/20 where participants call for the legalization of
marijuana, said Carr.

"We can't say people can't gather and state an opinion. We're here to
make sure public safety is protected and that the city itself is
prepared to handle that event."
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MAP posted-by: Matt