Rare arrests made at B.C. pot protest

VANCOUVER— The organizer of an annual marijuana protest in downtown Vancouver is blaming the city for an outbreak of violence that led to several protesters being arrested on Canada Day. Longtime pot activist Jodie Emery said this is the first time in the 20-year history of Cannabis Day that the event has experienced any confrontation with police.

“The city has been so tolerant before,” she said, speaking outside the Vancouver Art Gallery where the protest was being held. “I don’t understand where this is coming from.”

Bystanders said they witnessed officers descend on the gathering around noon.

A scuffle ensued before at least one man was led away in handcuffs. Angry crowds chanted as they followed the officers around the street corner where they loaded a man into a police van.

Police later confirmed they had arrested four people and that investigators expected to lay charges against each of them.

Joshua Helsdon reported being pepper sprayed while recording the incident on his camera. He described police pulling and choking protesters who had encircled the marijuana vendor in order to prevent his arrest.

“I was15 feet away when they decided to mace me,” said Helsdon, rubbing his red-rimmed eyes. “It’s unbelievable, unbelievable.”

In late June, the City of Vancouver sent Emery and her husband, Marc, a cease-and-desist letter asking that the event be abandoned because it hadn’t received the necessary municipal permits. Organizers dismissed the warning, insisting the event would go ahead as planned.