Yesterday, we told you the story of John Gailey, who was cited for
trespassing and banned from the Town Center of Aurora mall for a year
because he refused to take off a "Yes We Cannabis" T-shirt.
No word yet about whether the mall has apologized and approved the
wearing of marijuana-themed shirts in the future, as Gailey's attorneys,
Rob and Jessica Corry, have asked. But marijuana advocate Mason Tvert
isn't waiting. He's organizing a 4 p.m. protest tomorrow during which
protesters, including Gailey's parents, will march through the mall
wearing pro-pot T-shirts.
In Response to Aurora Shopping Mall Harassing and
Banning Shopper for Wearing Pro-Marijuana T-Shirt, SAFER Supporters to
March Through Mall in Pro-Marijuana T-Shirts
Prior to march TOMORROW (Sat., May 29), SAFER to hold news
conference at 4 p.m. in front of east entrance of Town Center at Aurora
Banned man's parents will join protesters in their son's stead
AURORA, COLORADO -- In response to an Aurora shopping mall harassing
and banning a shopper for wearing a pro-marijuana T-shirt, Safer
Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) is organizing a march of
supporters wearing pro-marijuana T-shirts through the mall tomorrow,
Saturday, May 29. The group will gather at 4 p.m. for a news conference
in front of the east entrance of the Town Center at Aurora prior to
entering (see below for specific location).
Last Saturday, 28-year-old Jake Gailey was shopping at the mall with
his girlfriend when security guards stopped him and told him his "Yes We
Cannabis" T-shirt was unacceptable and that he needed to remove it,
turn it inside-out, or exit the mall immediately. Gailey refused and
was ultimately issued a citation for trespassing and banned from the
mall for one year. See a Westword story on the incident -- http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2010/05/wearing_yes_we_cannabis_t-shir.php
In response to the mall's actions, SAFER staff and supporters will be
marching through the mall wearing shirts that read, "Cannabis" and "Can
o' Beer" with a check-mark next to "Cannabis," highlighting the
relative safety of marijuana compared to alcohol.
"Polls show that half of Colorado voters support making marijuana
legal and the Aurora newspaper has even endorsed the concept," said
SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert. "The mall's response to a
pro-marijuana T-shirt is ridiculous, especially since it has never had
any problem with people wearing T-shirts promoting a far more harmful
substance -- alcohol."
"Marijuana was the most talked-about issue in the state legislature
this year and it has been among the most popular political issues in the
state for the past several years," Tvert said. "It is shocking that a
major public shopping center would harass and ban an individual for
wearing T-shirt that expresses an opinion on this popular political
issue."
WHAT: News conference and march in response to
Aurora mall's harassment and banishment of a shopper who wore a
pro-marijuana T-shirt
WHEN: TOMORROW, Saturday, May 29, 4 p.m.
WHERE: In front of the Town Center at Aurora's east
entrance (off S. Sable Blvd. and E. Centrepoint Dr.)
WHO: Parents of the man harassed and banned for
wearing a pro-marijuana T-shirt, SAFER staff and supporters wearing
pro-marijuana T-shirts
