HEmpfest2010
Semptember 18th, 2010; the twentyfirst Freedom Rally on Boston Common grows up. Arriving at the event’s opening at noon, I find myself completely baffled. Was I late? Did something else take it’s place? Why is there an ocean of people deeper than 20,000 leagues?! I wasn’t late, nor did anything take the Freedom Rally’s place. Being twentyone myself, and having been to this event before, I knew better. Never have I been to an event where diversity was such a mainstay. The huge throng of the most diverse crowd I had ever seen couldn’t be here for anything less than marijuana legislation and legalization. Walking toward the rear of the common, there were indian food and culture stands. Busi-nessmen were blazing bones, hippies frolicked about staring and sharing art, and gansters gave out ganja. Attempting to find my way to the main stage, I entered the myriad of treading tokers. Lined on either side were stands of trillions of trinkets and other essentials. Lost amongst the merchants, I began to wander. Italians were selling sausage typical for downtown Boston and Burrito stands stood every ten feet. Almost as if the economy had no bearing, people lined up by the dozens. The tents between the food stands sold treasures from worlds unbeknownst to the masses. Everything from hemp jewelry adorned with stones of various value to literature detailing the struggles of cannabis connoisseurs. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) caught my eye at first. They represented the trodden down police officer that has to deal with the constant flux of the war on drugs day-to-day. I especially admired their dedication and pondered how many times they saw the same people get arrested for non-violent offenses; only to be back out soon after continuing their use of their drug of choice. The sargeant at the booth explained to a small crowd how the legalizing of most substances would influence their children about as much as legalizing guns across the board. “Just because that is our second amendment right, doesn’t mean our children grow up with the goal to obtain a gun.” Pondering the number of times I saw a gun growing up in Boston, my consensus was easily obtained. Among the other organizations were the MASSCANN crew who ran the event. This is our state branch of NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws). I immediately pitched in by purchasing a hemp shirt and voting membership at the national level. The man on the other side of the table smiled emphatically as he took my information and explained how he had come from the Bronx to help run the event. Even other universities from all over the state had their various branches of NORML and S.S.D.P. (Students for Sensible Drug Policy). I spoke with someone from the BU branch of the S.S.D.P. She explained how every drug should be legal. Utterly baffled (thinking of the addicts), I questioned her. “The addicts will do it anyway. Methedone clinics are the government’s way of profiting off of an addiction that never really goes away; but is replaced by another.” Furthermore, she claims that those that could stop methedone choose not to in order to either; 1: sell their methedone or; 2: get high with it. Unable to speak, I bow as I continue to the main stage. The chaos and activism of the crowd had intrigued me, but did not prepare me for what I was about to see. The scene was a different beast than all I had seen before. These throngs had doubtless seen the crowd as I had. Perhaps it didn’t affect them or maybe they didn’t care. Regardless the reason, the crowd here was much like that you would see in Woodstock pictures or movies. Music on stage accented the mood of the crowd quite well. After relaxing a bit and hearing the vibes, Istood to cop my own sack and chill. The mood was not quite as accomodating when trying to purchase herb as dealers looked over their shoulder and cops stalked through the crowd. Eventually, however, the capitilist in one decided to let go of some lowgrade ganja for a price. Quickly we met and slyly spoke as we forked in different directions. I smoked and sat down to enjoy the rest of the show. There were seventeen different music acts and over fifteen guest speakers present at the main stage. Although I did visit the second stage and sit atop the hill to view the scenery periodically, my main focus was the central stage. High Times, NORML, authors, and politicians all spoke between music that varied as much as the weather (which was beautiful at that time). Jill Stein (the Green Party Candidate up for state governorship) spoke as I noticed an important sociological point. People within the park were arranged in a strange manner. Everyday I go to the park people are there. Mostly they sit or stand and speak to one another happily. Sure, they were happy today, but what I noticed was that everyone that day were all sitting in circles. The geometric pattern that blasted my sensors was astounding. The circle, as many know, is a definite symbol; it marks completeness, or wholesomeness; a will or tolerance to see and hear all that is around you. While these circles probably didn’t realize the importance of their arrangement, they certainly didn’t judge. I saw many jump from one bubble to the next, breaking down the boundries and being accepted into a new clique as easily as osmosis. How is it that a simple plant could elicit such a sociologically advanced concept out of such a diverse crowd? Why is it that they seem to be tolerant to almost anyone, despite the stigmata that they go by in day-to-day life? Ultimately, why, oh why, is this herb illegal and so downtrodden?! The end of the day came too quickly. Trudging away from the stage with a glimmer in my blood-shot eye and a wide grin, I see an older male with creases under his eyes down a nip of harsh quality. He takes one last glance at the stage and turns about, to walk away. I stroll alongside him and ask: “Why the long face?” He tosses me a drink and explains: “It’s been the end. I’m sixty-eight; this has been going on since back when we were free.” Back at the legal site of intoxication, I watch Pipline Riot (one band from the festival) begin their gig. Still, I ponder the day’s dreamy events. When there is only 34 citations and 2 arrests (all associated with said plant), I simply must trumpet: WE SHOULD BE HEARD!!! Join UMB NORML: coming in the next month. – Carlton Buscemi Get Ready to Vote in November Last Tuesday MASSPIRG registered 145 students to vote for National Voter Registration Day as part of their New Voters Project. MASSPIRG’s goal is to register over 700 students prior to the October 13th deadline. The New Voters Project is America’s oldest and largest nonpartisan youth voter mobilization program. Founded in 1984 the PIRG’s were able to develop a voter mobilization model which helped to register and turn out millions of new voters, along with train leaders, many of whom now run some the nation’s leading political organizations. This semester on more than 100 campuses across the country, student PIRG’s are working to collect 50,000 voter registrations. And this is no easy task! While in 2008 88% of young people thought they were likely to vote in the fall this year only 59% said they were. To increase student voter turn out this election cycle the New Voters Project is sponsoring a Voter Registration Fair on October 7th and 8th. October 12th there will also be a day of voter registration with volunteers exclaiming “I’d rather loose my clothes than loose my vote!” “It is essential that students vote this election cycle, especially here in Massachusetts. Being students of a public university the outcome of this election directly affects us! Beyond this, politicians are never going to truly care about students’ issues if we are not the ones electing them. In order for our voices to be heard to we need to show up to the polls on November 2nd!” States Virginia Clancy President of Pi Sigma Alpha, The National Political Science Honors Society and New Voters Project Coordinator.
