Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Cannabis Day Protest Turns Violent In Downtown Vancouver, 2 Arrested

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Jul, 2015 04:11 PM
  • Cannabis Day Protest Turns Violent In Downtown Vancouver, 2 Arrested
VANCOUVER — The organizer of an annual marijuana protest in downtown Vancouver is blaming the city for an outbreak of violence that led to two protesters being arrested on Canada Day.
 
Longtime pot activist Jodie Emery said this is the first time in the 20-year history of Cannabis Day that the event has experienced any confrontation with police.
 
"The city has been so tolerant before," she said, speaking outside the Vancouver Art Gallery where the protest was being held. "I don't understand where this is coming from."
 
Bystanders said they witnessed officers descend on the gathering of hundreds of people around noon. A scuffle ensued before at least one man was led away in handcuffs.
 
Angry crowds chanted as they followed the officers around the street corner where they loaded a man into a police van.
 
Police later confirmed in an email that they had arrested two men — one faces possible trafficking charges and the other faces a charge of obstruction.
 
Spokesman Const. Brian Montague alleged in a release a man was "overtly" selling marijuana to minors and that he failed to stop after being warned.
 
"Police specifically informed (organizers) that the open selling or giving away of illegal items to young people could result in arrest," read the release. It added that police were especially concerned in the wake of April's 4/20 marijuana celebrations, which they say sent a significant number of people to hospital.
 
Officers were immediately confronted and swarmed while trying to carry out the arrest, said Montague.
 
Joshua Helsdon reported being pepper sprayed while recording the incident on his camera. He described police pulling and choking protesters who had encircled the marijuana vendor in order to prevent his arrest.
 
"I was 15 feet away when they decided to Mace me," said Helsdon, rubbing his red-rimmed eyes. "It's unbelievable, unbelievable."
 
Cannabis Day has taken place peacefully in downtown Vancouver over the past two decades.
 
In late June, the City of Vancouver sent Emery and her husband — pot activist Marc Emery — a cease-and-desist letter asking that the event be abandoned because it hadn't received have the necessary municipal permits. Organizers ultimately dismissed the warning, insisting the event was a protest and not a festival so would go ahead as planned.
 
Cannabis Day event planners meet yearly with city officials, Vancouver police, Vancouver Fire and BC Ambulance Services to co-ordinate a safety plan, as well as raise money for toilets, security, first aid and fencing, said Emery.
 
"In recent years police have come to help us set up and then they stand back and they smile and wave at passersby," she said. "(But) for some reason the city has chosen to be confrontational and create an enormous problem where there never has been one before."
 
Emery speculated that the pressure behind this year's change could be coming from the federal government. She pointed to an "extraordinarily frosty reception" from Vancouver's deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston as out of the ordinary.

MORE National ARTICLES

New Brunswick Government Not Deterred By Quebec Concerns With Proposed Pipeline

New Brunswick Government Not Deterred By Quebec Concerns With Proposed Pipeline
FREDERICTON — New Brunswick's energy minister said Wednesday he's confident the Energy East pipeline will be built, despite concerns raised by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.

New Brunswick Government Not Deterred By Quebec Concerns With Proposed Pipeline

Harper Invites Muslim Families To 24 Sussex To Break The Ramadan Fast

Harper Invites Muslim Families To 24 Sussex To Break The Ramadan Fast
OTTAWA — Muslim families gathered at 24 Sussex Drive to break the Ramadan fast Monday night, the first time it's believed such an event has been held at the prime minister's official residence.

Harper Invites Muslim Families To 24 Sussex To Break The Ramadan Fast

B.C., Tsilhqot'in To Mark Historic Supreme Court Anniversary With Five-Year Deal

B.C., Tsilhqot'in To Mark Historic Supreme Court Anniversary With Five-Year Deal
It's an annual First Nations' rite of passage, but, this year's 200-kilometre trek over the wind-swept Chilcotin Plateau is different, says Tsilhqot'in Nation Chief Roger William, a former champion bull rider.

B.C., Tsilhqot'in To Mark Historic Supreme Court Anniversary With Five-Year Deal

Two Dead After A Gunman Opens Fire At Moka Cafe North Of Toronto

Two Dead After A Gunman Opens Fire At Moka Cafe North Of Toronto
Gunshots rang out around 8:18 a.m. Wednesday in the Moka cafe on Highway 7 near Islington Avenue in Vaughan, said York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden.

Two Dead After A Gunman Opens Fire At Moka Cafe North Of Toronto

Jail, Pay-Back-The-Cash Sentence For Brandie Bloor Who Defrauded Man For Breast Implants

Jail, Pay-Back-The-Cash Sentence For Brandie Bloor Who Defrauded Man For Breast Implants
Kamloops, B.C., woman who defrauded an elderly man to pay for cosmetic surgery including breast implants has been sentenced to nine months in jail and must return over $17,000 in cash, including interest.

Jail, Pay-Back-The-Cash Sentence For Brandie Bloor Who Defrauded Man For Breast Implants

Ex-olympics CEO John Furlong Denies Contradictions In Heated Cross-examination

VANCOUVER — Former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong's temper boiled over while he was under cross-examination at the civil court trial where a journalist accuses him of defamation

Ex-olympics CEO John Furlong Denies Contradictions In Heated Cross-examination