MAYORAL CONFERENCE, MARIJUANA ADVOCATES COMPETE FOR PERMITS

Applying Two Months Earlier, Marijuana Activists May Have More Rights Than
Mayors To Parade Permit

To commemorate the U.S. Conference of Mayors this summer, the City of
Madison planned to host a downtown parade June 15. But the procession of
mayors may have to yield to a pro-marijuana group if the city's Street Use
Staff Team agrees to grant a similar permit to a pro-marijuana group.

Marijuana activist Ben Masel, leader of the legalize marijuana and free
speech group Weedstock.com, reportedly applied for a permit to close Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 14-15.

Masel said he applied for the permit in May with the hopes of offering a
stage with speakers and music. He said the group proposed to have
information booths and carry signs to "get their message across" to the
mayors during the conference.

But two months later, the city's conference hosting committee reportedly
applied for a permit to close the street for a parade that would overlap
Masel's event.

The committee hopes to use the street for a procession of mayors from the
state Capitol to the Monona Terrace. The parade would feature stilt
walkers, a drum and bugle corps, giant flags and inflatable figures during
its two-block march to the Terrace rooftop.

The conference, set for June 13-18, would include mayors from across the
country and could possibly see a visit from President Bush.

Kelli Lamberty of the Street Use Staff Team told the Wisconsin State
Journal that permits are usually granted in order of application. But in
this case, she said the city hopes for a compromise.

"We can let them parade through, but that's about it," Masel said. "If they
think they can shut down free speech for everyone else, they've got another
thing coming."