Occupy Boulder planning 4/20 protest

[dwiggins]

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont- ... 20-protest

Occupy Boulder planning 4/20 protest
Protest in response to CU's efforts to quash campus smokeout
By Mitchell Byars Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 04/14/2012 04:30:22 PM MDT
Updated: 04/14/2012 04:31:12 PM MDT

Members of Occupy Boulder are planning a protest over the University of Colorado's efforts to shut down the annual 4/20 celebration.
At a general assembly Saturday on Pearl Street, members of the group said the measures being taken by CU -- including shutting down the campus to visitors and closing Norlin Quad -- were turning the university into a "police state."

"We need to address the police lockdown at CU, which is a response to a peaceful protest that has gone on for 20 years," said Daniel Schwartz. "These are draconian measures that are suppressing our First Amendment rights."

CU announced last week that it will close the campus to all visitors on Friday. Only CU students and employees will be allowed on the campus on April 20, officials said, and they will be required to show their Buff OneCard identification to authorities. The Norlin Quad area will also be closed off to all people, including students.

While Occupy Boulder has not finalized its protest details, the group plans on meeting on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall on Friday and then marching towards the campus and then returning to the courthouse lawn for a smokeout.

The group is also encouraging people who aren't able to make the event to smoke to protest marijuana laws.
"Wherever you are, get off the couch and go outside and smoke there," said Occupy Boulder protestor Lee Buchsbaum. "It's your 4/20; it's your day. If you believe in marijauna rights, if you believe it should be legal and regulated like alcohol, go outside."