cannabisnews.com: Marijuana-Law Opponents Suing Over Plan for Parade





Marijuana-Law Opponents Suing Over Plan for Parade
Posted by FoM on March 24, 2000 at 19:59:01 PT
By Matt O'Connor, Tribune Staff Writer
Source: Chicago Tribune
A group advocating the decriminalization of the sale and possession of marijuana alleged Thursday in a federal lawsuit that their plans to hold a parade through the Loop had been blocked by the City of Chicago in violation of the 1st Amendment.
Windy City Hemp Development Board protested the city's plan to move the proposed May 6 parade to Columbus Drive, far from downtown crowds, the suit contended."If the city doesn't like your issue, they will not give you a proper venue to stage your protest," said Caren Thomas, a director of the board and a plaintiff in the suit."The last time the police had a protest, they went up and down Michigan Avenue."Jennifer Hoyle, a spokeswoman for the city's Law Department, said the office hadn't reviewed the lawsuit yet and she declined comment.According to the suit, the group filed for a parade permit on Jan. 25. The following day, an official with the city Department of Inspection rejected a parade route through downtown, saying it would "substantially and unnecessarily interfere with traffic."The suit challenges the city ordinance regulating parade permits, saying it violates Windy City's 1st Amendment rights.The group wanted the parade to start at the Federal Plaza, move past the Metropolitan Correctional Center and the American Medical Association headquarters at 515 N. State St. and return to the Federal Plaza.Instead, the city restricted the parade route to the Columbus Drive area, according to the lawsuit."This alternate route is designed to prevent as many people as possible from witnessing this parade," the suit said.Published: March 24, 2000© 2000 Chicago Tribune
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Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on March 26, 2000 at 20:34:12 PT:
MMM
Hey, This is fun ... Takes a little longer, but appropo to the spirit of this post.I will be going to the OKC rally this year ...Thanks observer for a flashback ... I did go to the MMM in NYC, last year.I met Dana Beal, and Mr, RJ Cote, and a cool girl from massachusets, and David Peal of "Have a Marijuana" fame ... and got high with all. A great weekend in the Big Apple.A few pictures are contained on my website of MMM NYC, 1999.
Hemp n Stuff
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Comment #2 posted by military officer guy on March 24, 2000 at 22:26:29 PT
that's ok...
it doesn't matter where the parade is being held, the important thing is that it is being held...we just need a GREAT turn out...that will push it up to the good part of town...the more we get out the better we'll be doing...i wish i could be there, hell, i might just show up for a few events this year, seeing i'm a closet activist now...there's a bunch of fello activist i'd like to meet...so if there are events that anyone is going to we should start a list or something so we can see who's going to what...although i can't give away my state i could probably show up and meet with a few of you, anyone intersted??
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Comment #1 posted by observer on March 24, 2000 at 21:18:24 PT
Chicago, New York Deja Vu
> "If the city doesn't like your issue, they will not give you a proper venue to stage your protest," ... The suit challenges the city ordinance regulating parade permits, saying it violates ... 1st Amendment rights.The police state is always doing that.http://www.cures-not-wars.org/mmm/articles.html#ap981119Federal Judge strikes downGiuliani Censorship of MillionMarijuana March (1999)NEW YORK (AP) - - A federal judge today foundthe city's parade permit law unconstitutional, sayingthat it failed to set up a proper procedure to ensurethat parade requests would be acted upon promptlyU.S. District Judge Leonard B. Sand ruled in a casethat grew out of a request for a permit for the 1998Marijuana March on Fifth Avenue on May 2. Thejudge also cited the city's handling of permitapplications for parades to protest police brutality. . .http://www.cures-not-wars.org/mmm/articles.html
take action: May 6, 2000: Millennium Marijuana March!
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