Feeling a different kind of Bern, advocates for legalizing marijuana march on DNC
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The atmosphere around JayWalk, a march for the legalization of marijuana, was surprisingly cordial, despite the distinct smell of pot in the air, between police and marchers in downtown Philadelphia. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Members of the National Lawyers Guild watch the rallies taking place around City Hall to observe the interactions between protesters and police during the Democratic National Convention July 25th 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Performance artist and 2012 presidential candidate, Vermin Supreme, famous for saying he would give everyone a pony if elected, showed up at the rallies surrounding City Hall in Philadelphia July 25, 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Sanders supporters Renee Bolduc, 35, and her daughter, Ava Lia, 5, chant ''This is what democracy looks ilke'' during a rally at City Hall in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Rallies around City Hall were dominated by anti-Hilary Clinton, pro-Bernie Sanders chants as various groups waited to march down Broad Street to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Police and protesters work together to have peaceful and safe rallies at City Hall in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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It was a family affair around City Hall in Philadelphia as protesters gathered and dealt with the heat before their march down Broad Street to the Wells Fargo Center for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Connor Garrett, 9, protests for Bernie Sanders with his dad. They traveled from Connecticut to attend the rallies during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Marchers from different factions join together on a protest march down Broad Street on their way to the Democratic National Convention. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
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Bernie Sanders delegates happen upon Bernie supporters during a protest near City Hall in Philadelphia July 25, 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)
About 100 protesters armed with three 51-foot inflatable joints gathered around noon at City Hall in Philadelphia for the pro-marijuana legalization demonstration, JayWalk.
As the heat index climbed to 106 degrees, they were joined by hundreds of other protesters making their way down Broad Street to the Wells Fargo Center, where the 2016 Democratic National Convention was set to begin.
The march was put together by members of the group NORML, whose mission is working for reform marijuana reform laws in the United States.
The high number of police officers surrounding City Hall didn’t put off the organizers, who encouraged JayWalk participants to light up their own joints.
“Know your rights, light up and if you are approached by a police officer, be polite, accept the $25 ticket, and come back and join us,” Pennsylvania NORML board member Chris Goldstein shouted through his megaphone.
“I’m actually surprised Philadelphia is so nice,” said an out-of-town protester, perhaps because of the almost jovial atmosphere surrounding the crowd and their police escorts.
Even in the heat and humidity the police kept their cool joking with some of the protesters, who suggested changes to police uniforms.
“Shorts would be nice, but I don’t think they would go with my shoes,” one officer responded. “Well, maybe a tank top,” a protester suggested. “Yeah, that would be nice, I’d have three guns to show off,” the officer said as he jokingly flexed his bicep.
The walk took off an hour late down the blocked off Broad Street, with legalize marijuana chants alongside pro-Bernie Sanders chants as the marchers finally made their way south.
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