Pols: Move ‘Hempfest’ off Common

The Boston Freedom Rally, an annual event formerly known as Hempfest, could face regulations or relocation from the Boston Common, as two city councilors have called for a hearing at today’s City Council meeting.

Citing complaints of illegal activities, permit violations, and trash and stray used needles left behind at the most recent rally in September, Councilors Ed Flynn and Josh Zakim will ask that the council hold a hearing to discuss action the city could take and explore options to relocate the event.

Flynn, who oversees the second district of Downtown, South Boston and the South End, said complaints by neighbors were brought to his attention by the Friends of the Public Garden.

“I take it seriously any time my constituents bring a complaint to my attention,” Flynn said. “We’re trying to do our due diligence, listen to residents in impacted neighborhoods and listen to city officials to see what the next step moving forward is.”

Bill Downing, a member of the board of directors of MassCann/NORML, a cannabis reform coalition that puts on the rally, has assisted in organizing the event since 1991. He said his organization has had to sue the city six times and that the Common is “there for everybody to use.”

“Some of the wealthiest people in the entire world live on Beacon Hill and they treat the Boston Common as though it were their backyard,” Downing said. “The people who decided to buy or rent near the Common should know that the Common is going to have events on it. For them to complain is just ridiculous.”

Downing insisted that his organization pays the parks department to clean up the common after event.

“The trash was all cleaned up just as any event,” Downing said. “By Monday afternoon, it was back to the way it was before the event started.”

Flynn says the longevity of the weekendlong event has also become a concern for some residents. He plans to “look into what happened” at the most recent event and come up with a plan that works for everybody.

“The Boston Common is one of the most beautiful parks in the country,” Flynn said. “I’m focused on what needs to be done to make sure our park remains beautiful and accessible.”

Mike Crawford, a former MassCann/NORML member and 20-year cannabis reform activist, said he hopes the event will continue but that “MassCann has to take responsibility and work with the city and neighbors surrounding the common. Part of the issue is how much it’s grown.”