Watch Live: CityNews Tonight Vancouver

Park Board Chair concerned about 420 rally’s move to Sunset Beach

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s not the protest’s cause that’s the problem, but rather the location.

After the 420 rally was moved from the Vancouver Art Gallery to Sunset Beach this year, one park board chair is putting a motion forward to stop the move.

Sarah Kirby-Yung says she’s not against the idea of the protest, but says having it at Sunset Beach will only present problems with things like cleanup.

“I think given the nature of this event and the amount of refuse that is created and particularly because people are smoking and the garbage that goes with that. It’s very different cleaning up in an urban environment like concrete than it would be trying to clean grassy areas and beaches.”

Kirby-Yung says with the tens of thousands of people taking part in the 420 protest every year along with the sale of alcohol and other products, this has become much more than just a protest, but rather an event.

She is also concerned about safety with the crowds so close to the water.

“There were 63 hospitalizations that resulted from the 2015 420 event. So that is really a key concern for us.”

Cannabis advocate Jodie Emery says there will be 50,000 taxpayers, peacefully breaking the law.

She and the rest of the organizers met with police and the city to develop a strategy for the rally.

“We’ve been able to talk about other venues. We were given two suggestions and because Pride festival and other events happen at Sunset Beach, we know that it’s a safe venue for a large gathering of people and booths and music.”

Emery says the Art Gallery will be closed for renovations and is too small to hold the crowds. And the organizers will be responsible for the cleanup.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today