SMOKIN' PROTEST IGNORED

Re: Pot freedom fighters fully baked, May 6.

Monday's Star informed us that a recent poll showed that Canadians believe
that Canadian media are biased and sensationalistic (Canadians skeptical of
media, poll finds, May 6).

The same day's Star provided ample evidence of press bias in the story
concerning Toronto's annual Million Marijuana March. What was really
smokin' about the event was not, as your reporter states, the pizza stand,
but the orderliness of the happening: People assembled civilly in front of
City Hall, voiced their concerns, formed quietly into a parade and marched
off; police, particularly those in black riot gear, were conspicuous by
their absence.

Compare this with other recent events in this city, when police were out in
force to confront and intimidate an assembly of concerned citizens, police
and marchers fought each other, police on horses charged into crowds,
arrests were made, property was damaged and injuries were common. Your
reporter obviously couldn't get past his bias and observe the positive
difference of this event and the manner in which it played out on Sunday.
He needs to lighten up. We need more of these kinds of peaceful,
un-sensationalistic, non-confrontational events in our city.

Lewis Pearsall

Toronto