cannabisnews.com: 30th Annual Marijuana Smoke in Washington D.C.





30th Annual Marijuana Smoke in Washington D.C.
Posted by FoM on July 09, 1999 at 08:18:24 PT
By John Galt Jr. 
Source: Web Station #19
7/4/99 We got up early and were on the road shortly after 8am. It was an uneventful trip, we arrived at Layfette Park shortly before 1pm. The temperature was 98 and rising, the shaded areas were filling with people.
Things were just getting under way John Pylka organizer of the Layfette Park portion of the planned events, greeted me then took the stage. He began by telling the story of how a Viet Nam protest, turned into the first smoke in some thirty years past. It was July 4th 1969 and a massive protest against the war had been planned. The first protest took place at the Washington Monument, visible behind the stage. It was a hot July day much like today, the crowd took refuge in the shade of the monument. People began to arrive by 8am, soon the shaded area was near full. Many factions separated into groups at various spots in the shade. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the shadow of the monument got smaller and smaller. The crowd moved closer and closer together until they were but one group huddled up against the monument. As quarters became very close there was a spontaneous lighting of marijuana occurring. People shared, cared and before anyone realized it, the annual smoke out had been born and a war had been stopped. Since that date the peaceful tribes have met at one place or another in D.C. on July 4th to celebrate freedom and the friendly herb. By the time John finished the story we numbered a couple thousand. I saw my many friends a hug from Elvy and a hand shake from my buddy Rob Robinson, we talked about what had happened at the Summer Solstice Hemp Happening and The Seventh Annual Hempsplash.http://m2.aol.com/station019/sshh99.htm I saw my friend Kurt the marijuana leaf hat vendor. As the afternoon continued we heard from such people as: Chris Conrad "Hemp Author"Mikki Norris "Author of Shattered Lives"Jeff Jones "Oakland CBC"Elvy Musikka "Medical Marijuana Patient" A patients view Rob Robinson "N.Y. State C.A.N." Talked about the movementDana Beal Talked about nazi conspiracies and melatonin.Jean Marlow "N.C. Medical MarijuanaRob Lawernce "Prohibition Times"Janice Pressler "Mid Atlantic Activist Coalition." Spoke on Libertarian Family valuesDiane Fornbacher "Freedom Fighter of the month Hightimes Jan 99"Honeybud's Home Page!http://members.tripod.com/~cannabishempsativa/Told a story about how her family was proud of her activism and read her "Marijuana Poetry"Faith "DC Mayoral Candidate 2002 " Sang and Danced for the crowd and a dozen others got to say their piece..I was scheduled to start, but told John I was waiting for someone who was going to help me with my presentation. By 2pm she was still not there, and I told John I would, go on with out her. The march was scheduled for 3pm and most of the speakers had run longer than the 15 minutes allotted. I had missed my chance at 3pm the march began and we fell in line. We marched to the concert grounds some 8 or ten blocks away. By the time we arrived the crowd was a good 5000 strong. I spoke to Katie, who was in charge of speakers for the big stage. She said no problem getting me on, could I do a 15-20 minute spot? I said I would love to do a 15-20 minute spot. I was scheduled to follow Dana Beal and Joe Hart, tough acts to follow. I found my friend and told her what I wanted to do. Speech in hand I reported to the stage at my scheduled time Dana was still speaking. Joe hart then took the stage. Katie said they were running late and asked if I could cut back to five minutes. I said sure and tried not to hid my disappointment.I read through my speech trying to see how I could cut 2/3's to 3/4s of it out. I took the stage as Joe left the stage manager told me I had three minutes. Three minutes? I thought to myself what the hell can I say in three minutes? I remembered when my friend and fellow activist Marvin Marvin had challenged me to make a 30 second speech.http://m2.aol.com/station019/shortest.htm I pulled that off I could do this too, if I talked really fast.http://m2.aol.com/station019/dc7499.htm My Speech I did go long about 4 1/2 minutes I told the crowd they could read the real speech at my web site. After my big speech and announcement I went over and spent a couple hours talking to Kay Lee about our new partnership. A Hightimes reporter interviewed us and then Kay Lee interviewed me on camera as a way to fill her on my / our plans.Kay Lee's Journey For Justice Home Page.http://www.zyworld.com/kay~lee/home.htm We both agreed it was going to be an interesting year. After the next set of speakers, which included both Chris Conrad and my friend and fellow activist Rob Robinson, Sehlis and I headed out as I had to work at midnight. http://m2.aol.com/station019/wash30th.htm
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Comment #4 posted by Lynn on February 13, 2001 at 07:34:54 PT:
Medical Marijuana Poll
Check out this medical marijuana poll I found:http://www.healthyideas.com/poll/971003
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Comment #3 posted by Meagan on January 31, 2001 at 07:27:44 PT
July 4 smokein
I went to the smokein in 2000. It was a mess. The organizers were stupid. We waited in line an hour to use an outhouse. They had drag queens singin about blow jobs as their entertainment. The police wwere everywhere busting people for nothing and the organizers wouldnt do anything about it. I'll never waste my time at this smokein again.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 09, 1999 at 12:09:31 PT:
Good Job!
Good to see you, Honey Bud!I hope all is well!Keep up the good work! I just know you will!Peace, FoM!
My Activist Page
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Comment #1 posted by Diane Fornbacher on July 09, 1999 at 11:41:36 PT:
D.C. Smoke-In
I had a wonderful time at the Smoke-In and regret immensely missing my compatriot and fellow protester John Galt's speech. I know he did well and captured the essence of the moments share at Lafayette Park very nicely. Thank you John Galt for all that you do. I am glad to be your friend.
HONEYBUD WEEDWHACKER's FREEDOM FORUM
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