Kathleen Taylor

All posts by Kathleen Taylor

 A Smoky Weekend in the Boston Common

Attendees of the 29th Annual Boston Freedom Rally relax on the lawn of Boston Common while enjoying musical performances and political speeches.The annual event aims to promote marijuana legalization throughout the United States. Photo by Kathleen Taylor

A distinct smell spread through Boston Common this weekend as thousands of revelers and activists alike participated in the annual Boston Freedom Rally – an event calling for marijuana law reform throughout the country.

The free event ran for three days and included live music, speeches by activists, panel discussions, art pieces, vendors and a lot of marijuana smoking.

One activist, Robert Forchion, also known as “NJWeedman,” encouraged the crowd to “Smoke it up, feel good.”

While this was the event’s 29th year, it was the first year since the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes became legal in Massachusetts. Recreational marijuana became legal in the state in 2016, but its sale was only legalized earlier this year.

Some of the attendees were disappointed with the slow roll out of marijuana stores and vendors.

“We were supposed to be able to buy weed from July 1st,” said Francis Stevens, 34, of Jamaica Plain.   He has been attending the event for the past six years.

“It’s been more than two months now and the stores still haven’t opened,” Stevens said. “You still need a medical card. It’s bullshit.”

He claimed that local government and authorities are making it difficult for vendors to receive permits to sell marijuana.

But others celebrated the progress that had been made in marijuana reform.

“It’s cool,” said Enrique Hernandez, 22,  of Amherst.

“I mean I’m not super into weed, but I like to smoke every now and then,” he said. “Just to relax, you know.”

Although it is now legal to sell recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, event organizers, the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition or MassCann, made it clear that selling marijuana at the Boston Freedom Rally was prohibited.

But that did not stop numerous vendors from offering marijuana infused brownies and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes as “gifts” along with the sale of other items. One stall offered marijuana plant T-shirts for sale that came with the “gift” of two pre-rolled joints.

“They need a permit to sell it, but not if they’re just giving it as a gift,” Hernandez said.

Throughout the day crowds listened to live music, political speeches and informative discussions in the makeshift “Education Village.” One session focused on the medicinal value of marijuana in treating cancer, while another offered business and social media advice for aspiring marijuana entrepreneurs. The sessions ended with a discussion of the history of marijuana prohibition.

But not all Boston residents support the annual event, often referred to as “Hempfest.”

“The Common is one of the most beautiful parks in Boston,” said Gloria Puccini, who has lived in South Boston all her life.

“They come and trash the place and then the city has to clean up after them,” said Puccini. “It’s disgusting”.

Tony Di Pietro, 64, a Back Bay resident, was also critical of the event.

“There’s kids there,” said Di Pietro. “I get that it’s legal now but I don’t think it’s safe for our kids to be exposed to that sort of thing”.

According to Stevens, the annual event has survived numerous complaints, lawsuits and legal challenges over the years.

“They’ve tried to get it shut down, but there’s nothing they can do,” said Stevens. “It’s our right. Our freedom.”

 

A 240 mile run to Ground Zero

James and Mackenzie Baden with their daughter, Callie, after finishing the 240 mile 911 Promise Run from The Pentagon to Ground Zero today. The run honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Photo by Kathleen Taylor

James Baden journeyed 240 miles in three days from the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., to Ground Zero in New York to “give back to the community.”

Baden and his wife, Mackenzie, both from Virginia, were two of the 65 runners to participate in the 9/11 Promise Run which honors the memory of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Having left Washington at 5.a.m. on Sunday, September 9, the runners arrived at Ground Zero shortly after 6 p.m. today.

Throughout the training process, as well as the run itself, Baden was motivated by the memory of the 9/11 victims.

“They got the list of all the Flight 93 people who passed away in the crash and we were able to run in memory of them,” Baden said. “Every person got assigned one person on the plane.”

Mackenzie Baden said that it was the victims’ memory that got her through the difficult parts of the run.

“Times got hard, like, I have blisters on my toes,” she said.

But in those moments, she thought of families who had lost loved ones in the attacks.

“Imagining how they must feel just keeps you going,” she said.

The event’s founder and organizer, Jen Depoto, said the biggest reason for the run was to remember and honor the memory of the lives lost.

“I feel it’s really imperative that we remember all the lives lost and we every day make a point to honor our military and our first responders,” Depoto said.

She also wants to make sure children learn about 9/11.

“’Cause our country is always gonna be a target,” she said.

9/11 Promise runners after finishing a 240 mile relay run from The Pentagon to Ground Zero today. The run honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Photo by Kathleen Taylor.

The run was not a race, but a relay team effort in which runners of all ages and fitness levels participated.

“It’s a relay style run so you’re in and out of a van,” which, she said, is actually harder than just running a marathon.

The run also serves as a fundraiser, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Hope for the Warriors, which helps veterans and their families. Every runner had to raise $1000 to participate.

So far, the runners have raised $67,000 for the nonprofit.

After three days of running, the runners were exhausted, and many were emotional when they arrived at Ground Zero. They wore bright T-shirts with flags and other patriotic paraphernalia and attracted a crowd.

A number of tourists who were visiting the memorial gathered around the runners. They congratulated the runners and asked to take photos with them.

“I definitely couldn’t run that far,” said Michael Gomez, a tourist from San Diego who was visiting Ground Zero for the first time. “It’s amazing”.