HIGH AND MIGHTY MARCH

Up To A Thousand Pot Smokers To Rally In Hamilton Today To Push For
Legalization Of Marijuana

There'll be smoke of a different kind hanging over Steeltown today.

As many as 1,000 pot smokers are expected to light up in the streets
of Hamilton as they march to City Hall to call for the legalization
of marijuana.

"We're trying to send the message that we're not going away," said
organizer Chris Goodwin. "We believe we have the Charter right and
obligation to fight back against unjust laws."

Goodwin, 26, said he's been "promoting open civil disobedience" for
the past 1 1/2 years by letting people get high at his Up in Smoke Cafe.

In that time, police have arrived 250 times and made 35 arrests,
Goodwin said.

He said he chose today April 20th, or 4/20 on the calendar -- for the
"smoke out" because it is "a national holiday for stoners."

The number "420" has become a symbol to light up for pot smokers,
Goodwin said, admitting nobody seems to know for sure why.

Goodwin said he knows of protesters travelling from as far away as
Texas to attend today's protest. They plan to block traffic on King
St. before descending on city hall around 3 p.m., he said.

Goodwin said demonstrators are calling on Hamilton police to make
cannabis possession their lowest priority and use police resources in
other areas.

Hamilton police Supt. John Petz said the force will have officers
across five city blocks to monitor the gathering.

"We're going to make sure the procession proceeds safely," he said.

Goodwin said he is planning another protest in August.