Roachclip
New Member
Rastafarians planning to attend celebrations marking the late Bob Marley's 60th birthday are being warned not to take marijuana.
The memorial is being held in Ethiopia and up to 500,000 people, many of them Rastafarians, are expected to converge on the capital Addis Ababa.
The US State Department has told people to be aware that Ethiopian authorities plan to boost security measure for the festivities, which begin next week.
In a public announcement, the department said: "The security enhancements will include increased checks for illegal weapons and drugs at ports of entry and border crossings.
"Possession of marijuana is punishable by up to six months in prison," it added.
Marijuana is considered a sacrament by many Rastafarians, the movement championed by Bob Marley and whose spiritual leader is the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari).
Celebrations called "Africa Unite" will take place over a month and will get under way on Tuesday.
The highlight of the festivities, a gala concert featuring international music stars, is to be held on Bob Marley's birthday, February 6.
Sky
© 2005 BSkyB
The Latest News from the UK and Around the World | Sky News
The memorial is being held in Ethiopia and up to 500,000 people, many of them Rastafarians, are expected to converge on the capital Addis Ababa.
The US State Department has told people to be aware that Ethiopian authorities plan to boost security measure for the festivities, which begin next week.
In a public announcement, the department said: "The security enhancements will include increased checks for illegal weapons and drugs at ports of entry and border crossings.
"Possession of marijuana is punishable by up to six months in prison," it added.
Marijuana is considered a sacrament by many Rastafarians, the movement championed by Bob Marley and whose spiritual leader is the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari).
Celebrations called "Africa Unite" will take place over a month and will get under way on Tuesday.
The highlight of the festivities, a gala concert featuring international music stars, is to be held on Bob Marley's birthday, February 6.
Sky
© 2005 BSkyB
The Latest News from the UK and Around the World | Sky News
