Proponents for ending the prohibition of marijuana congregated at Portland's Pioneer Square to hold a candlelight vigil marking the 40th anniversary of the so-called "War on Drugs." Chris Van Putten, Director of Lewis & Clark's Chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy organized the event.
In the announcement for the event, Putten states:
In just 40 years, the United States has spent more than $1 trillion waging this failed war on drugs. Every year, more than $10 Billion is spent just enforcing marijuana laws. Our country now leads the world in incarceration rates. Will you join us on June 17 to tell America that 40 years of drug war failure is enough?
Portland's Channel 2 Katu News was present, and reported nearly 100 attendees at the event.
Organizers held the vigil directly across the street from the square, after being informed that they did not have the permits necessary to hold the vigil inside the public square itself, which is deemed a "state park." Officers at the square stated that rental of the square often costs thousands of dollars, and is required for any organized or spontaneous gathering of individuals.
They informed organizers that they could hold the vigil across the street, however, at the federal courthouse, so long as they left a pathway for foot traffic to pass through. Those in attendence happily complied, and the gathering swelled rapidly once protest signs began to appear indicating where the event was occurring.
The mass transit line, Trimet's MAX train, crosses immediately in front of where proponents gathered, and riders on the transit line hooted their support and waved each time the doors of the train opened upon the vigil. Automobile traffic is also high along the road, and the cars passing by often honked their horns in support of the gathering, as they yelled out in support,
Speakers included Shelley Fox-Lokken of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), Chris Van Putten, Paul Stanford, chief petitioner of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 (the citizen's initiative in Oregon currently circulating to legalize marijuana for all adults), Don Skakie of Sensible Washington (the effort to legalize marijuana in the state of Washington), and others as well.
As attendees cleared the area, and picked up signs, trash and belongings, one lone police officer, who had assisted in ensuring the pathway remained clear, rode his patrol bicycle past, smiling contentedly at the departing crowd.
The evening concluded at about 11pm, with only a few drops of candle wax left behind on the sidewalk.
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