But event organizers questioned whether the police presence was unnecessarily intense.
As rally-goers entered the common, officers stopped many of them at random, feeling the bottoms of their bags and backpacks for alcohol and weapons.
If a participant refused to consent to the search, officers would often refuse to let them enter.
"You must have something if you don't want your bags searched," said an officer who covered his badge to prevent his being identified.
Robert Robinson, a NORML staff member from New Paltz, New York, stood at the main entryway and shouted in protest of the BPD's frisking.
"I've seen over 100 searches without warrants, and that is absolutely illegal," Robinson said later.
St. Pierre said, "The police are walking up to the limits of the Constitution."
Read more in News
The Weekly Police LogRecommended Articles
-
Thousands Rally for Marijuana LegalizationFrolicking in the Indian Summer sunshine, thousands of marijuana smokers and their supporters assembled on the Boston Common Saturday to
-
Marijuanatoward rational legalization of marijuana." Alan M. Dershowitz, professor of law, said that the legalization of marijuana is important because
-
End to 'Prohibition' Urged By Sane Drug CommitteeThe recently-formed Committee for a Sane Drug Policy took public action for the first time yesterday and called for the
-
HMS Prof Promotes Medicinal Pot UseToday is “4/20,” a day celebrated by marijuana smokers across the country—and here at Harvard, Lester Grinspoon is continuing his
-
Measure To Decriminalize Marijuana Goes On Mass. BallotWhile a recent poll showed that more than two thirds of Massachusetts voters favor relaxing laws against marijuana, State Representative
