POT TV – Police detained a protestor, James Desjarlais, in Vancouver, BC during a Cannabis Day protest.
Desjarlais was later released.
Vancouver Police fenced off Thornton Park in an attempt to block protestors from assembling for an annual Cannabis Day demonstration.
Protestors set up a stage and vending/information tables and tents outside the fenced park.
Pot protests have been held on July 1st in Canada since 1977. Protests in Vancouver have been held on the day for over a decade. In 2015 Vancouver Police attacked protestors, arresting and assaulting peaceful demonstrators with pepper spray. Since 2015, police relations with protestors has been minimal and friendly.
Officers handed out information to protestors detailing fines or charges they may face for protest actions. Officers patrolled the area, warning protestors of potential criminal charges, and securing the fenced-off park.
Protestors breached the fence briefly, to corral Canada Geese separated from their young offspring, allowing the geese into the park.
Protestors consumed cannabis, sold cannabis-related items and non-cannabis-related items while activist speakers addressed the focus of the protest between musical acts.
In violation of both British Columbia and federal law, more than four cannabis plants were displayed publicly.
Activist, Dana Larsen, sold cannabis openly to the crowd from the stage, shortly before 4:20pm, defying Vancouver Police to enforce their threats of criminal prosecution. No enforcement was made.
