Freedom Rally

Mass Cann/NORML's Freedom Rally 2008

The Boston Freedom Rally is an annual event in Boston, in the U.S. states of Massachusetts. Held on the third Saturday in September, it is traditionally the second largest annual gathering demanding marijuana law reform in the United States, after the Seattle Hempfest. It is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Mass Cann), the Massachusetts state affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws also known as Mass Cann/NORML.

The first Freedom Rally was held in 1989 in North Adams, Massachusetts. The second was on the dock beside the USS Constitution. The third was held in front of the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street and the fourth, in 1992, was held on Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand. In 1995 the Freedom Rally moved to its current location across the Common on the Carty Parade Field.

History

Permitting problems

Since 1992 Mass Cann/NORML's Freedom Rally has been held on Boston Common. The city of Boston, lead by Mayor Thomas Menino, has tried to stop the Freedom Rally by denying Mass Cann/NORML permits.

Mass Cann/NORML won an injunction forcing the City of Boston to issue a permit for their 1997 rally after many years of difficulty from parks officials regarding the permitting process. The city had been imposing demands for cash and limits imposed on MASS CANN/NORML not normally required of similar events, such as a limit of 10,000 attendees and 8 food vendors. In granting the injunction Judge Belvin Perry described Mass Cann/NORML's attempts to get permits as a "... tortured history."

Later in 1997 the City sued Mass Cann/NORML and its president for $17,000 for compensation regarding damages to the Common and fines. Mass Cann/NORML had already paid an amount the city had previously asked for, approximately $2,000, to clean the Common and had not asked for the additional $17,000 before proceeding to a lawsuit. Mass Cann/NORML counter-sued, claiming that the City's suit was prima facie evidence of the City's continued interference despite the injunction. Both suits were summarily dismissed.

The 1998 rally permit process was similarly litigious. Massachusetts Superior Court hearings before Judge Carol Ball began in July, purposefully early to forefend a last minute rush. At the first hearing the City was ordered to produce a list of requirements Mass Cann/NORML would be have to meet in order to receive a permit. At the second hearing the judge told the City their requirements didn't meet constitutional muster, ordered them to issue a permit, but mentioned that restrictions that were constitutional were permissible.

The City issued a permit with many restrictions Mass Cann/NORML could or would not meet. The judge heard arguments and ordered all the restrictions Mass Cann/NORML could or would not acquiesce to be dropped. Mass Cann/NORML moved for summary judgment and the 1997 and 1998 suits were consolidated. On March 7, 2002 Justice Allan van Gestel found in Mass Cann/NORML’s favor and awarded a judgment of over $31,000.

In 2008, the city of Boston issued a permit for the nineteenth Freedom Rally that sought to cut-off funding for the event by redirecting donations from food vendors at the rally away from Mass Cann/NORML and to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston instead. Again, on September 18, 2008, ACLU pro-bono attorney John Swomley testified in support of an injunction at a hearing before Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Carol Ball (who had granted the 1997 injunction). The city attorney presented no evidence and no written testimony. Judge Ball was very unhappy with the city’s permitting restrictions and granted the injunction.

Performers

Among the people to have performed at the Freedom Rally over the years have been the following.

Robert Potylo

External links