PHILADELPHIA, PA — Final preparations by marijuana reform activists in Philadelphia are underway for Smoke Down Prohibition VII, the seventh in a series of monthly protests held at Independence National Historic Park.
After six successful rallies, The Panic Hour and Philly NORML, joint organizers of the event, will return to Independence National Historic Park, home of the Liberty Bell, to peacefully protest cannabis prohibition starting on July 26.
Unlike previous editions of Smoke Down Prohibition, which were one-day demonstrations, this event begins at 4:20 pm on a Friday, and taking a page from last year’s Occupy movement, will continue for as long as necessary — even if it stretches for days, weeks, or months.
“We ask you to join us and peacefully sit in at the Liberty Bell to stand up against cannabis prohibition,” organizers said in a press release about the event.
There will be speakers, activities, arts and crafts and workshops thro. . . . . READ MORE
PHILADELPHIA, PA — On May 18th, The Panic Hour and PhillyNORML held “Smoke Down Prohibition V” in a free speech zone near the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA. As the name suggests, this was the fifth such event they had organized.
The previous four were well attended, with hundreds of legalization advocates attending and peacefully demonstrating against our country’s failed policy of marijuana prohibition. You can view video of the largest event, held on April 20th of this year, by clicking here.
The previous rallies went off without a hitch. Protestors were peaceful and respectful while law enforcement kept their distance and allowed them to voice their constitutionally guaranteed rights (as evidenced in this video, where National Park Police refuse to interfere with the event).
This time, things were different. It was immediately clear from the outset that the police were taking a different approach to Smoke Down Prohibition V, from the very beginning the police presence was massive, with a couple dozen officers standing by and a newly erected fence in place to keep the attendees contained.
Smoke Down Prohibition V continued as planned, despite th. . . . . READ MORE
PHILADELPHIA, PA — As podcaster and civil rights activist Adam Kokesh, who was arrested Saturday during a weekend marijuana demonstration, awaits arraignment in a Philadelphia Federal Court, analysis of videos of Kokesh’s arrest posted online are raising a disturbing question:
Did police plant evidence on Adam Kokesh during his arrest?
Kokesh’s arrest happened as the crowd in attendance of Smoke Down Prohibition V at the Independence National His. . . . . READ MORE
PHILADELPHIA, PA — What began as a peaceful protest against marijuana prohibition in Philadelphia Saturday ended with the violent arrest of several prominent activists, including event organizers, as the crowd chanted “No victim, no crime” in support.
Among those arrested were prominent marijuana activists Adam Kokesh, Don Dezarn, and organizer N.A Poe.
The event, Smoke Down Prohibition V, has been a monthly gathering at Independence Hall sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Philly NORML) and the Panic Hour. The events, which had previously gone without incident, feature music, speakers, giveaways and trivia, are intended to be a peaceful demonstration taking a stand “in opposition a failed, racist drug war” while ”ushering in a future without marijuana prohibition.”
The events have always ended with a civil disobedience protest in which most of those in attendance light up at 4:20 pm.
Unlike the previous four “Smoke Down Prohibition” events, as the crowd lit up, the United States Park Rangers and Philadelphia Police cracked down, focusing on organizers and speakers who had just called from the stage for attendees to lock arms and form a circle of solidarity around the stage.
At least six people, possibly as many as ten, were arrested in the minutes that foll. . . . . READ MORE