Marijuana enthusiasts, activists, and those who just feel like people of color shouldn't be persecuted for possessing a plant that does substantially less harm than many legal drugs marched from Washington Square Park to Union Square yesterday afternoon. According to photographer Jim Kiernan, rappers Immortal Technique (his second appearance in a week in Union Square) and King David performed and "Ganja Granny" Arlene Williams as well as a representative from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition spoke. We also spotted marijuana activist and John Lennon pal David Peel in the crowd.
Kiernan notes that in addition to Peel, the Yippies were represented by "Pie Man" Aron Kay, who was famous for tossing pies into the faces of those in power. For more on the Yippies in the Lower East Side in the 1960s, check out NPR's excellent interview with "hero" Yippie Ed Sanders.
