Marijuana march becomes a pro-freedom rally
Banned by the courts under the allegation of promoting drug use, the protest now defends the right to freedom of expression.
Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo, was completely blocked around 15 PM by protesters demonstrating in favor of freedom of expression. Traffic is disrupted near Rua Peixoto Gomide, according to the Traffic Engineering Company (CET). The demonstration is peaceful. The protesters will proceed along Rua da Consolação to Praça Roosevelt, in the city center.
Approximately 100 people gathered in the open space of the MASP (São Paulo Museum of Art), on Paulista Avenue, at 2 PM. The group is protesting the decision of the São Paulo Court of Justice (TJ-SP) that prohibited, last night, the holding of the Marijuana March, scheduled to take place today. The decision of the 14nd Criminal Law Chamber was motivated by an action of the State Public Prosecutor's Office, which sees the movement as a crime of inducing or instigating drug use.
“Like last year, we will negotiate with the police to march for freedom of expression, since every time we organize the movement, the prohibitions come at the last minute (this is the fourth year in a row that the São Paulo Court of Justice has prohibited the march),” says student Júlio Delmanto, one of the members of the movement.