420 Girl
Well-Known Member
On Saturday, May 3rd, I went to the Million Marijuana March with 420 Magazine founder, Rob Griffin and our good friend, Andi. We arrived to see a man standing on the corner holding a sign that read, “Honk for Hemp!” Once we got parked and walked over to where he was, a group of people had shown up including Sister Somayah with her megaphone. We were greeted with warm hellos and thanks for coming and then directed to the parking lot of a gas station where everyone was gathering. As we were waiting for the march to start, we struck up a conversation with a cool cat named Eric. The four of us ended up hanging out for the rest of the march and rally.
By the time we were ready to start, a total of about 50 people had shown up to march. We started walking down Crenshaw Blvd a few minutes after 1 pm, complete with a police escort. The march itself was lead by two men holding a banner. One of the men, I later realized was blind. And bringing up the tail was a line of cars that included Sister Somayah standing in the sunroof of one of them chanting and cheering the whole way.
There were three groups of people holding three separate banners. Those who weren’t holding a banner were holding signs saying, “Get Legalized!” or whatever else they had brought to the march with them. There were a couple guys holding marijuana leaf sculptures and one man with a scooter hooked up to a wagon that was decorated in cannabis awareness. One car went a little honk happy but I think I just felt that way because I was walking right in front of it!
We received a whole lot of cheers and honks from people driving by on the opposite side of the road. Some were even taking pictures. One car had a camera man that filmed us as they drove by. I only once heard a lady yelling negative comments, she was told to smoke a joint and she’d feel better. I was greatly amused by this. There were also people who came out of buildings that we passed just to cheer us on. There were even a few that got so excited and into cheering for us, I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t just join the march. Even so, it felt good to see such a positive response.
We ended up at Leimert Park. There were a few more people already waiting there, with a booth that had facts and information about cannabis and hemp. They set up a microphone and Sister Somayah said a few words before passing it to a friend.
During this time, I couldn’t help but to feel a little sad to see so few people turn out for such an important march. Remembering all the people honking and cheering, but no one pulling over to join us. And I realized that it’s one thing to stand on the sidelines and cheer, but it’s quite another to actually walk in the march. Those people standing on the sidewalk watching us pass by will never get to feel the sense of pride that I got to feel that day. Pride in myself for finally taking a stand on something I believe in, and tremendous pride in all of those who also showed up to stand for what they believe in. I applaud those who fight for their rights and the rights of countless others. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it, and I’m glad I can count myself in on this one.
By the time we were ready to start, a total of about 50 people had shown up to march. We started walking down Crenshaw Blvd a few minutes after 1 pm, complete with a police escort. The march itself was lead by two men holding a banner. One of the men, I later realized was blind. And bringing up the tail was a line of cars that included Sister Somayah standing in the sunroof of one of them chanting and cheering the whole way.
There were three groups of people holding three separate banners. Those who weren’t holding a banner were holding signs saying, “Get Legalized!” or whatever else they had brought to the march with them. There were a couple guys holding marijuana leaf sculptures and one man with a scooter hooked up to a wagon that was decorated in cannabis awareness. One car went a little honk happy but I think I just felt that way because I was walking right in front of it!
We received a whole lot of cheers and honks from people driving by on the opposite side of the road. Some were even taking pictures. One car had a camera man that filmed us as they drove by. I only once heard a lady yelling negative comments, she was told to smoke a joint and she’d feel better. I was greatly amused by this. There were also people who came out of buildings that we passed just to cheer us on. There were even a few that got so excited and into cheering for us, I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t just join the march. Even so, it felt good to see such a positive response.
We ended up at Leimert Park. There were a few more people already waiting there, with a booth that had facts and information about cannabis and hemp. They set up a microphone and Sister Somayah said a few words before passing it to a friend.
During this time, I couldn’t help but to feel a little sad to see so few people turn out for such an important march. Remembering all the people honking and cheering, but no one pulling over to join us. And I realized that it’s one thing to stand on the sidelines and cheer, but it’s quite another to actually walk in the march. Those people standing on the sidewalk watching us pass by will never get to feel the sense of pride that I got to feel that day. Pride in myself for finally taking a stand on something I believe in, and tremendous pride in all of those who also showed up to stand for what they believe in. I applaud those who fight for their rights and the rights of countless others. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it, and I’m glad I can count myself in on this one.
