MARIJUANA-LAW OPPONENTS SUING OVER PLAN FOR PARADE

A group advocating the decriminalization of the sale and possession of
marijuana alleged Thursday in a federal lawsuit that their plans to hold a
parade through the Loop had been blocked by the City of Chicago in
violation of the 1st Amendment.

Windy City Hemp Development Board protested the city's plan to move the
proposed May 6 parade to Columbus Drive, far from downtown crowds, the suit
contended.

"If the city doesn't like your issue, they will not give you a proper venue
to stage your protest," said Caren Thomas, a director of the board and a
plaintiff in the suit.

"The last time the police had a protest, they went up and down Michigan
Avenue."

Jennifer Hoyle, a spokeswoman for the city's Law Department, said the
office hadn't reviewed the lawsuit yet and she declined comment.

According to the suit, the group filed for a parade permit on Jan. 25. The
following day, an official with the city Department of Inspection rejected
a parade route through downtown, saying it would "substantially and
unnecessarily interfere with traffic."

The suit challenges the city ordinance regulating parade permits, saying it
violates Windy City's 1st Amendment rights.

The group wanted the parade to start at the Federal Plaza, move past the
Metropolitan Correctional Center and the American Medical Association
headquarters at 515 N. State St. and return to the Federal Plaza.

Instead, the city restricted the parade route to the Columbus Drive area,
according to the lawsuit.

"This alternate route is designed to prevent as many people as possible
from witnessing this parade," the suit said.