cannabisnews.com: Police Snuff Out 'Marijuana Day' in Tel Aviv Police Snuff Out 'Marijuana Day' in Tel Aviv Posted by CN Staff on May 09, 2004 at 20:51:06 PT By Harry Rubenstein Source: Jerusalem Post Uniformed and undercover police officers on Saturday shut down the International Marijuana Day event at HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv after detaining 30 participants, including three minors, for suspected use and possession of marijuana. Boaz Wachtel, an organizer of the event and head of the "Green Leaf" political party was among those detained for questioning. At approximately 3:45 p.m., about four hours after the event began, police swarmed upon the sound system and shut it off as partygoers were dancing to Peter Tosh's reggae classic "Legalize It." A large crowd gathered around the police, with many shouting "Police state" and "Fascists." Although tensions were high, except for a few shoves, violence was averted. A police photographer and videographer were on hand keeping their cameras focused on the more vocal protesters. "I came to the conclusion that this was a drug party and violation of the law won't be tolerated. After thirty people were arrested for using drugs, it was decided to close down the event," said Brigadier General Aaron Ezra of the Tel Aviv police. The event, which has been held without disruption for the past six years, had a substantial higher profile this year due to the first time participation of a member of the Knesset. But police shut down the event just 15 minutes before MK Roman Bronfman (Meretz) was scheduled to deliver a speech. "From my standpoint, today's event is legal, after the high court rejected a petition ( to ban the event ) and after the city of Tel Aviv gave authorization for the event to be held," Bronfman told reporters at the event. "I think the police were the ones who disturbed the peace. The police knew I was supposed to speak at 4:00 p.m., and I interpret what happened here now as a suppression of free speech and not allowing a Knesset member to express his opinion." Bronfman said that the police told him the event was shut down due to instances of drug use, but the MK emphasized that rather than ending the event the police should have arrested only those who were using drugs. According to a copy of the Bronfman's undelivered speech received by the Jerusalem Post, the MK intended to say that although he does not support drug use, he believes the current "scare campaign" is a total failure. Bronfman was to announce his intention to introduce two related laws in the Knesset. One would allow persons with various illnesses whose symptoms can be alleviated by marijuana to obtain a prescription for medicinal marijuana directly from a doctor, whereas currently they must go to the director general of the health ministry or via a special panel. The second law would decriminalize use of marijuana and hashish. Approximately an hour before the event was shut down, one speaker issued a warning to attendees that undercover police forces were looking to arrest people for smoking cannabis and urged the crowd to drink beer instead, even though he claimed alcohol causes poses a greater health risk. "This happens at every party," said a 24-year-old Ramat Gan resident who identified himself as Dekel. "The police see people enjoying themselves and think this represents all the problems in the state, so they try to stop the enjoyment of all the people here who are trying to show that this is a progressive country and not a country like Iran." Eran Vered, an organizer of the event said, "We tried to organize a protest event . as is allowed in a democratic state. The police apparently decided that this wasn't to their liking, so in a cruel and brutal manner they closed the picnic. The police arrested maybe one, two, or ten people smoking an illegal substance - grass - and apparently they decided that this picnic had the potential for drug use and closed it down completely. Apparently they felt that the participation of a member of Knesset was not good for them." Rehavia Berman, from Legalize it - Israel and a former spokesman of the Green Leaf party, said, "Health Minister Danny Naveh was supposed to speak, but instead speaking like a man and receiving boos or silence from the crowd, he arranged in advance for there to be no reason for him to come." But maybe Naveh wasn't the one responsible, he added. "Every Saturday at every soccer stadium police find flares and weapons that can kill people, and they don't shut down the game. They take the people who have these banned items and arrest them. That's the law! To shut down the event, isn't the law. There are legal decisions on this. Police are simply ignoring these rulings and doing what's convenient for them. Because of tomorrow if we win a legal ruling that says what they did isn't right, it doesn't matter because they already shut down the event," Berman said. Although some participants at the event expressing political agendas and circulating petitions, the vast majority of the crowd appeared to be basking in the afternoon sun, playing Frisbee and dancing to the music. It was only when the police shut down the event that it became overtly politicized. Newshawk: afterburnerSource: Jerusalem Post (Israel) Author: Harry RubensteinPublished: May 9, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Jerusalem PostWebsite: http://www.jpost.com/Contact: http://www.jpost.com/Letters/input.htmlRelated Articles:Police Detain 30 at Marijuana Day in Tel Aviv Park http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18824.shtmlTA Celebrates Marijuana Dayhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18814.shtmlCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment