Opening Statement



Thursday 9 March 2017

Free The Emerys: Cannabis Culture Bust!


 
You can follow my live Twitter coverage:
 
@davidchiarelli [Link] #FreeTheEmerys [Link]

Here's video of the Emery, Goodwin's and Guerra's release @ Toronto Toker
More links coming! For now, here's a great summary with the details @ Dankr.ca
 
Friday March 10th:

Canadian Cannabis Culture activists the Emery's, Goodwin's and Guerra were finally released from 2 days in jail into sub zero temperatures, without jackets, around suppertime last night. It was another day of long, drawn out delays. We were unceremoniously kicked out of the court house around 5pm, in no uncertain terms. A small circle of ardent, local cannabis community politicos, well wishers and friends awaited in the bone chilling cold, to cheer them on. The media too.

CC Battle Grrrrl Erin Goodwin came out first. Let the coterie of cameras know that his was hardly over. Chris Goodwin gave an impassioned speech on the need for civil disobedience in the legalization struggle. Next Britney Guerra. Then Jodie Emery spoke on her first arrest. She was angry, shaken but undeterred by 2 body searches, confinement and her loss of rights, quite rightfully so, as a woman cannabiz activist. Marc, down but not out, challenged Prime Minister Trudeau on the hypocrisy of "legalization".

My camera froze up, but there is no shortage of materials to share. Lots of cool and insightful links! The local cannabis social media really stole the show. Mainstream, seemed/ seems largely befuddled. I will post.

Afterwards, I went over to warm up at Cannabis Culture Church St, now the "Village Dispensary'. It was re-opening and packed! The fight continues!

Please check my Twitter feed. The whole 2 days are there, live as they happened. Blog updates will follow here. Y'bet! But It's been a long stint at the old Toronto courthouse. I got some catching up on the home front to do!

Stay tuned -Pax! Solidarity! Cheers!

BTW it was great to meet some of my local readers; old and new! You totally rock!


Thursday March 9th:

I was at Court 103, in the old Toronto court house, for Marc and Jodie Emery's bail hearing today. Some real in your face civil disobedience, a la Henry David Thoreau; a good primer for today's activists and news junkies whom might forget how it's done. 

Details remain sketchy: The Emery's were arrested at Pearson International airport on Wednesday evening. Their passports were possibly tagged by a warrant as they went through Departures. They were catching a flight to Spain, hoping to scout out business opportunities and attend a cannabis show.

A long day! Waited around with the other cannabis activists and mainstream media. Marc and Jodie were in transit. There was no court docket, or list of charges available. CBC, CTV, Global, City etc scrambled about trying to figure out what was going on.

A Chilling Police State Moment: Cannabis Culture Church Street's Chris and Erin Goodwin arrived late morning, to find out their shop was being raided by masked cops. We watched on Chris's IPhone. Police arrived to remove them from the courtroom. Security told us no pictures. They were lead away in handcuffs. Scary! Scary!

Marc and Jodie finally arrived after lunch. Still fighting the good fight, Marc waves at us in the courtroom. Jody gives us the peace sign. The judge is not impressed. Got pretty snarky as the case was remanded until Friday morning. Charges are still pending. 

This must be Marc's 30th bust. Jodies 1st! My understanding is that all of Cannabis Cultures 20 dispensaries across Canada including Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Hamilton were raided simultaneously. The rumour is that the Cannabis Culture shops are going to be restocked and reopen asap. Meanwhile the legal department plays their cards close to their chest, as the Emery's await for the charges to be pressed tomorrow morning.

Hope you can come out to protest. Probably best to be there by 9am!


Stay tuned! My regular blogs will continue. Meantime, he's a few related links for first time readers. A little repetitious for others but please bear with me, lots more to come:

On Cannabis Culture + LGBTQ Inclusivity: The Church Street dispensary honours LGBTQ + Cannabis activism in the heart of downtown Toronto @ Here! 

On Cannabis Culture and Toronto's Wild West: The Toronto Police "raid" at  Marc Emery's first Church Street location is @ Here!
 
On Marc Emery and Ontario's Dispensary Raids: The Peterborough Cannabis Culture bust. Covers a speech by Marc outlining his views and philosophy on legalization and the police dispensary raids @ Here!
 
Oh Cannabis Winter News y Views: More recent Marc Emery links. Also a lot of other stoner news links from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the US is @ Here!
 
Oh Cannabis December News y Views: More news links. Includes exclusive audio video clips about the Montreal Cannabis Culture dispensary raids. A lot of other cool weed news stories too @ There!
 
My Statement on Medical Cannabis is @ Youtube!
 
Project Claudia: Toronto City Hall: A backgrounder @ There!

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