Arrests made at Cannabis Day event at Vancouver Art Gallery (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
A few dozen protesters clashed with police Wednesday morning at the annual Cannabis Day protest on the south grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Demonstrators and officers were shouting and shoving, and some people were placed in handcuffs, though it’s not clear what sparked the turmoil.
The crowd had been chanting, “Let them go! Let them go!”
Police had confronted event organizers earlier in the day. Two people were arrested at the event after officers saw someone openly selling pot, including to youth, and refused to stop.
- UPDATE 6:10 p.m. – Vancouver Police say four people were arrested, not two.
Organizer Jeremiah Vandermeer says only a few tents and tables were set up on the south plaza steps when the situation became tense.
“The city and police surrounded us with a whole bunch of cops and city officials trying to force us to shut down the booths — puffing up their chests and getting right in the face of our activists.”
Organizers had said they were determined to still hold a huge event, despite city crews putting up fencing around the gallery’s north grounds on Monday night, prompting the group to move to the south side.
City manager Penny Ballem has denied the fencing was installed in a bid to force the event to move or cancel.
The city does not support the unsanctioned pro-marijuana event, and had asked for it to be held near the Cambie Bridge.
Vandermeer says it was unrealistic to move with just three weeks’ notice.
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A heated scene as arrests are made at #CannabisDay at the art gallery. City had tried to stop event. @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/l8vglSZYRm
— Sheila Scott (@Sheila_Scott) July 1, 2015
VPD making arrests at Cannabis day. pic.twitter.com/QaMKT92yzc
— Tim Dickert (@TheTimDickert) July 1, 2015
.@VancouverPD officers pulling back crowd following. Bet reinforcements are inbound pic.twitter.com/T6num8uA8b
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
VPD standing off with demonstrators right now. pic.twitter.com/1OENgNQxYf
— Tim Dickert (@TheTimDickert) July 1, 2015
Crowd of protesters dwindling at Howe St & Georgia. Seems to be losing steam pic.twitter.com/ZuvrjgJaGe
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Scratch that pot protesters have blockaded Howe St closing it again pic.twitter.com/ZcN85YdW32
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Pot protesters are pulling back on Howe St are now moving to shut down Robson pic.twitter.com/S3OUujW3xZ
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Protesters being asked by Four Seasons staff to relocate so guests can access underground parking pic.twitter.com/zCPDQGRVrK
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Pot protesters now talking about @Nestle “stealing our water” things seem to be calmed down now pic.twitter.com/SpyL3psoIH
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Pot protesters blocking traffic on Howe St. pic.twitter.com/pOfW1bRzJ7
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Speakers now touting and shouting benefits of pot plus hurling lots of abuse at VPD pic.twitter.com/2X9Dp4qou9
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
Some pot protesters are now on Robson St looking for VPD wagon where they think some of their cohorts are being held pic.twitter.com/BVdtl8n9fM
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015
VPD have now shut down traffic on Howe St by the Art Gallery after clashing with pot protesters pic.twitter.com/sded879aF5
— shane woodford (@WoodfordCKNW980) July 1, 2015