"Looks like we're taking the steps..."

420 at 4:20 on 4/20/2010, State House, Concord, NH. Short answer: victory.

In excess of 100 celebrants, with signs and bullhorns, guitars and drums. Dancing girls, even. And lots of cameras...

Initially out front, on the Main St. sidewalk, waving to honking traffic. Eventually smoking right on the State House steps (not that that hasn't happened before, of course: http://bikerbillnh.blogspot.com/2009/11/concord-does-420.html ), and chiding the bureaucrats inside for their infidelity to liberty.

NH Public Radio had been reporting the planned celebration all day, and much of NH's most dominant mainstream media were represented on-site. Yet despite recent coordinated crackdowns and subsequent roundups related to similar -- and similarly peaceful -- celebrations, the cops apparently never got word, somehow: three uniforms meticulously avoiding us across the street was as close an encounter as we experienced.

On the drive home, NHPR was reporting that the NH State Police stationed inside (as usual) were watching, but had no intention of doing anything unless the crowd got agitated.(edit: the word they used was "unruly," actually)

Umm, yeah, uh-huh. The pot smokers were gonna get agitated. So basically, the official position was that as long as the cops didn't escalate the situation, the cops wouldn't escalate the situation.

Boringly uneventful as a result, actually. Which is the point, after all, right...?

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• 420
• 4:20
• New Hampshire
• prohibition
• marijuana
• freekeene.com

[snoopyflick]

I'm anti government force as much as the next guy, and think that people should violate unjust laws, which require unjust actions to obey, like slave laws, war and etc. But to follow drug laws, is to abstain from drug use, and since for healthy people not using drugs is okay, then why should people disobey a law for which to obey the law(not enforce) is not unjust.

[bikerbillnh]

@snoopyflick Violating your inherent unalienable right to peaceful self-ownership (requiring unjust actions to ENFORCE) IS an unjust law and has not been delegated. Servant bureaucrats simply don't have a superior claim to your life. They don't "own" you. Not in a free society ostensibly founded on consent. What will it take for YOU to say "that's enough, leave me alone?" The principle is all. See my 'Favorites' for "The Philosophy of Liberty," "Me Is Mine, You Is Yours," and "I Own Me."

[TheGrayman1234]

@bikerbillnh Absolutely good points Bill & I think that we are right on key with each other here to a point.

I have made the choice 4 ME and MY family that mind altering substances are not good for US. WE do not partake. I will also say I do not condone it 4 anyone else. However, I will NOT force a man to a choice when the ends do not effect me.

Now if he was jacked on PCP and threatening a life, I would act, up to and including ending his life. But how it effects others is the drawn line.

[bikerbillnh]

And that same "you'll do what we think is best for you or else" reasoning is currently working on deciding how much salt you should be "allowed" to eat.

Everybody has a line. We'd all do well to be seriously considering where that is, and why...

[bikerbillnh]

@TheGrayman1234 The pertinent question is whether you believe other peaceful consenting adults have the same right to do the same research and make the same choices for themselves (without necessarily reaching the same conclusions). And as long as you do, we both believe in liberty.

The alternative is that you (or your delegates) can choose FOR them, can CONTROL them. And "controlling" someone/thing is equivalent to effectively "owning" them/it. There's a word for owning someone...

[TheGrayman1234]

@lJordanPl I assume from your post you were referring to my comment on pot and not the freedom of speech. I do not have to do any research on it. I have done all I need. If it alters the normal state of my mind (even if the effects are temporary) I am not for it. Nothing against pot specifically, I don't like alcohol or even a lot of caffeine for that matter. I prefer to keep the clear mind God gave me.

[lJordanPl]

@TheGrayman1234 I recommend you doing some independant research on it, if you search up "granny storm crow's list", that should give you more than a few studies on the issue :)

[mackler]

"Ignorant Laws are No Excuse."

Nice one.

[TheGrayman1234]

Don't get me wrong. I do NOT condone POT or any other mind altering substances (alcohol and etc.) Not a regular user, not a supporter.

HOWEVER, I love to see folks using their freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and even civil disobedience supporting what their views all. Good job folks. Peaceful and positive.