- Title: UK: THOUSANDS RALLY TO CALL FOR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION.
- Date: 17th June 2001
- Summary: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 16, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS: VARIOUS OF MARCH IN PROGRESS/ BANNERS/ PEOPLE SHELTERING FROM RAIN (18 SHOTS) 2.03 2. SOUNDBITE (English) UNIDENTIFIED MARCHER SAYING: "The majority of people don't know that they are entitled to take what they like, and they should be allowed to take what they like. And part
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA71S8RRBSOT5HWKFTT2DEUKLIY
- Story Text: The traditional British weather has failed to put out
the smoke of a cannabis decriminalisation march through
London.
Hundreds of people gathered in London's Kennington Park
on Saturday (May 16) for the start of a march to call for the
deciminalisation of cannabis.
The marchers sheltered under trees and used their placards
as protection from torrential downpoars. One man even
dispensed with his clothes altogether in an effort to keep
them dry.
The sun came out for the start of the march, though, and
the protesters danced through the streets of south London to
music provided by floats, samba bands and whistles.
"Basically what you can see here is a peaceful protest"
said one marcher. "No one's getting violent, no one's causing
any trouble. All we want to do is smoke our ganja, have the
freedom to smoke it where we like and not hurt anyone else."
After reaching their destination the protesters held a
festival in Brockwell Park, Brixton, in what organisers
described as a massive celebration of Hemp and Marijuana from
all cultures of the UK.
Four live stages and marquees provided art, music,
performance, information and celebration.
On Friday (June 15) London's police force said that it
was going ahead with a pilot scheme which will tell police
officers to take a more relaxed attitude towards cannabis
possession.
Under the scheme to be operated in the south London area
of Lambeth, offenders caught with cannabis will be given a
verbal warning rather than face an official caution or arrest.
In Britain a verbal warning is a less serious penalty than
a formal caution. Currently courts can still jail
offenders for cannabis possession.
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