HTTP/1.0 200 OK
Content-Type: text/html
Crusaders Promote Pot With Flagpole Prank
Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2005
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
CRUSADERS PROMOTE POT WITH FLAGPOLE PRANK
Spirits were flying high in the downtown civic square on the weekend,
when someone hoisted a mock Canadian flag with a cannabis leaf up a
City Hall flagpole.
About a dozen marijuana activists joined a global protest Saturday
against what they call state-sponsored discrimination against the
drug, ending at City Hall.
City staff removed the flag early Monday morning, said Jill Cope, the
city's communication manager.
"It's a bit disrespectful," Cope said. "It is state property and it's
(about) civic pride. What can you do with pranksters?"
The flag went up one of four poles in the square that are reserved for
special events, such as one for Saskatchewan's centennial. The
flagpoles' ropes are locked down, but the pranksters found some other
way to hoist the flag, Cope said.
The real Canadian flag is safer from tampering as it flies from the
roof of City Hall.
Groups must apply to city council for permission to proclaim a day,
week or month for a cause or special event. Flag-raisings are usually
tied in with proclamations, which cannot promote hatred, libel or any
illegal activity.
"Things like (a cannabis flag) would not be appropriate," Cope said.
"It was not endorsed in any way by the city."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin