Freedom Rally: Difference between revisions
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{{refimprove|date=July 2020}}{{About|the event in Boston|Canadian truck driver protest|2022 Canadian truck driver convoy}}[[File:Boston Freedom Rally 2008 crowd from stage.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mass Cann/NORML's Freedom Rally 2008]] |
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The '''Freedom Rally''' is an annual event in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]. Held on the third Saturday in September, it is traditionally the second largest annual gathering demanding [[marijuana]] law reform in the [[United States]], after the [[Seattle Hempfest]]. It is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Masscann), the Massachusetts state affiliate of the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] also known as MASS CANN/NORML. |
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The '''Boston Freedom Rally''' (often confused with Seattle's Hempfest)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title='Hempfest' is coming. And it's going to be a little different this year. |url=https://www.boston.com/events/events/2019/09/16/hempfest-is-coming-and-its-going-to-be-a-little-different-this-year|website=www.boston.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> is an annual event in [[Boston]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Massachusetts]]. Held on the third Saturday in September, it is traditionally the second largest annual gathering demanding [[marijuana]] law reform in the [[United States]], after the [[Seattle Hempfest]].<ref name=":1" /> After achieving the original goal of legalising marijuana recreational ("adult-use" pursuant to the Massachusetts regulatory scheme) use in the state of Massachusetts in 2016, the rally is seen as a celebration of the change to the state's legal policy toward cannabis, a chance to educate the community, and an opportunity to keep marijuana-related issues in the public forum as the state continues to mold its marijuana regulatory and legislative framework. Some attendees also view it as a rally to lessen the restriction on public consumption of marijuana, with public consumption still banned, and violations leading to a US$100 civil fine.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Years after Mass. made pot legal, Boston Freedom Rally rolls on |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/09/21/years-after-pot-legalized-mass-boston-freedom-rally-rolls/mrVsLLwznpyPuEJawohc7H/story.html|first=John|last=Hilliard|date=21 September 2019|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> It is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, Inc. (MassCann / www.masscann.org), the state's longest-standing marijuana advocacy group.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/boston-freedom-rally--3|title=Boston Freedom Rally [09/19/20]|website=www.thebostoncalendar.com|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The first Freedom Rally was held in 1989 in [[ |
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==History== |
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[[Image:Boston Freedom Rally 2008 crowd from stage.jpg|400px|MASS CANN/NORML's Freedom Rally 2008]] |
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[[File:4 20pm at NORML 2009 Boston Freedom Rally.jpg|thumb|300px|right|4:20 PM at Freedom Rally 2009]] |
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| ⚫ | The first Freedom Rally was held in 1989 in [[North Adams, Massachusetts|North Adams]]. The second was on the dock beside the [[USS Constitution|USS ''Constitution'']]. The third was held in front of the [[Massachusetts State House]] on Beacon Street and the fourth, in 1992, was held on [[Boston Common]] at the [[Parkman Bandstand]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://masscann.org/boston-freedom-rally/history/|title=Boston Freedom Rally History {{!}} MassCann/NORML|date=10 August 2012 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> In 1995, the Freedom Rally moved to its current location across the Common on the Carty Parade Field. |
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==Permitting Problems== |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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Boston Common is America's oldest public ground and the place where rights to free speech and assembly were first established. Since 1992 MASS CANN/NORML's Freedom Rally has been held on Boston Common. The city of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor [[Thomas Menino]], has tried both legal and illegal methods to stop the Freedom Rally by denying MASS CANN/NORML their rights to freedom of speech and assembly. |
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{{Portal|Cannabis|United States}} |
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* [https://masscann.org/the-boston-freedom-rally/ The Boston Freedom Rally] |
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{{Cannabis events|state=collapsed}} |
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MASS CANN/NORML won an [[injunction]] forcing the City of Boston to issue a permit for their 1997 rally. After many years of abuse from petty parks officials regarding the permitting process; the city’s [[unconstitutional]] demands for cash and limits imposed on MASS CANN/NORML to the exclusion of all others (such as a limit of 10,000 attendees and 8 food vendors) forced MASS CANN/NORML into court. In granting the injunction Judge Cratsley described MASS CANN/NORML's attempts to get permits as a, "... tortured history." |
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{{Cannabis in Massachusetts}} |
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[[Category:1989 establishments in Massachusetts]] |
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Also in 1997, in an act of obvious spite, the City sued MASS CANN/NORML and its president for $17,000 in damages to the Common and fines. MASS CANN/NORML had already paid the amount the city had asked for, almost $2,000, to clean the Common. The city decided to sue MASS CANN/NORML rather than bother to even ask them for the money. MASS CANN/NORML counter-sued pointing out that the City's suit was ''[[prima facie]]'' evidence of the City's continued interference despite the injunction. Both suits were summarily dismissed. |
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[[Category:Annual events in Boston]] |
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The 1998 rally permit process was similarly litigious. Massachusetts Superior Court hearings before Judge Carol Ball began in July, purposefully early to forefend a last minute rush. At the first hearing the City was ordered to produce a list of requirements MASS CANN/NORML would be have to meet in order to receive a permit. At the second hearing the judge told the City their requirements didn't meet constitutional muster, ordered them to issue a permit, but mentioned that restrictions that were not unconstitutional were permissible. |
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[[Category:Cannabis culture]] |
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[[Category:Cannabis events in the United States]] |
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The City issued a permit with many restrictions MASS CANN/NORML could or would not meet. The judge heard arguments and ordered all the restrictions MASS CANN/NORML could or would not acquiesce to be dropped. MASS CANN/NORML moved for summary judgment and the 1997 and 1998 suits were consolidated. On March 7, 2002 Justice Allan van Gestel found in MASS CANN/NORML’s favor and awarded a judgment of over $31,000. |
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[[Category:Cannabis in Massachusetts]] |
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[[Category:Recurring events established in 1989]] |
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Swinging at strike three in 2008, the city of Boston issued a permit for the nineteenth Freedom Rally that sought to illegally cut-off funding for the event by directing donations from food vendors at the rally away from MC/N and to the [[Boys and Girls Clubs]] of Boston instead. Again, on September 18, 2008, ACLU pro-bono attorney John Swomley testified in support of an injunction at a hearing before Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Carol Ball (who had granted the 1997 injunction). The city attorney presented no evidence and no written testimony. Judge Ball was very unhappy with the city’s permitting restrictions and while granting the injunction told the city attorney, “You people must be crazy.” |
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Latest revision as of 14:53, 22 April 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2020) |
The Boston Freedom Rally (often confused with Seattle's Hempfest)[1] is an annual event in Boston, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Held on the third Saturday in September, it is traditionally the second largest annual gathering demanding marijuana law reform in the United States, after the Seattle Hempfest.[2] After achieving the original goal of legalising marijuana recreational ("adult-use" pursuant to the Massachusetts regulatory scheme) use in the state of Massachusetts in 2016, the rally is seen as a celebration of the change to the state's legal policy toward cannabis, a chance to educate the community, and an opportunity to keep marijuana-related issues in the public forum as the state continues to mold its marijuana regulatory and legislative framework. Some attendees also view it as a rally to lessen the restriction on public consumption of marijuana, with public consumption still banned, and violations leading to a US$100 civil fine.[1][3] It is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, Inc. (MassCann / www.masscann.org), the state's longest-standing marijuana advocacy group.[2]
History
[edit]
The first Freedom Rally was held in 1989 in North Adams. The second was on the dock beside the USS Constitution. The third was held in front of the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street and the fourth, in 1992, was held on Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand.[4] In 1995, the Freedom Rally moved to its current location across the Common on the Carty Parade Field.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "'Hempfest' is coming. And it's going to be a little different this year". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
- ^ a b "Boston Freedom Rally [09/19/20]". www.thebostoncalendar.com. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
- ^ Hilliard, John (21 September 2019). "Years after Mass. made pot legal, Boston Freedom Rally rolls on". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
- ^ "Boston Freedom Rally History | MassCann/NORML". 10 August 2012. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
External links
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- Official Mass Cann/NORML Website
- NORML National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
- City of Boston's Boston Common Web page
- The Boston Freedom Rally
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