QUARTET OBJECTS TO DEPORTATION OF ACTIVIST, TOUGH NEW LEGISLATION

A small group of demonstrators took their protest over the recent
deportation of marijuana activist Marc Emery to the riding office of
MP Cathy McLeod Monday.

The four protesters, aligned with the web-based protest FreeMarc.ca,
were also objecting to Bill S10, legislation currently before the
Senate that proposes mandatory minimum sentences for dealing marijuana.

With the House in session, McLeod was in Ottawa, but her staff told
the protesters they could not put up posters at the riding office or
prevent constituents from entering.

RCMP were summoned and convinced the group to take their protest
outside.

Bill S10, an amendment to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, is
aimed at organized crime, not recreational pot users, McLeod said.

The bill has drawn widespread protests from people who advocate
decriminalization of marijuana. They argue the legislation will lead
to the imprisonment of thousands of Canadians for victimless crimes.

"We're trying to cut off the lifeline of organized crime and our party
has no intention of legalizing marijuana," McLeod said.

Regan Swallow, one of the protesters, said the legislation will only
put money in the hands of organized crime.

"It doesn't make sense to fine people for a harmless drug," Swallow
said.

Emery, dubbed the Prince of Pot, was recently deported to the U.S. for
distributing cannabis seeds across the border. He successfully
plea-bargained for a five-year sentence in order to prevent two of his
associates, one of whom is battling cancer, from also being extradited.

"What we're hoping for is that when Marc is sentenced in August he can
apply for a transfer back to Canada" so he can serve his sentence
here, Swallow added.

The local protest followed a sit-in demonstration at the Ottawa office
of Justice Minister Rob Nicholson last week.