Below is the story which ran today (Sun. 5, May, 2002) about the Rapid City Segment of the Million Marijuana March. This is from the Rapid City (SD) Journal.

From other press reports I've seen from around the nation, the Rapid City MMM was at least as well-attended as many marches in much larger cities.

And, for the record, I didn't lead a chant which said "Here to keep cops off kids." I never even heard that specific chant. We chanted, several times, "Stop putting peaceful honest people in jail simply for trying to feel better." And, a couple of times, "We're here. We're high. Get used to it." ( the marchers really seemed to like that one )

There are several  inaccuracies in the story below, but they're less significant than the one I just mentioned.

Vaya con Dios en Cinco de Mayo!

Bob Newland - [ SodakNORML ]

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Pot supporters parade Saturday

By Jan Kaus, Northern Hills Bureau

RAPID CITY - More than 300 marchers took to Sixth Street in Rapid City Saturday afternoon to show their support for efforts to reform marijuana laws and legalize its use.

Proponents said that people in more than 160 cities around the world would stage similar marches in parades collectively known as the Million Marijuana March. - ( Freddies com: Actually there was around 200 cities that had an mmm2002 arrangement )

Rapid City's event was organized and led by marijuana/hemp proponent Bob Newland of Hermosa, president of SoDakNORML, an affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

"Our position is that public policy concerning marijuana is a disaster," Newland said before the march. "If we stimulate people to voice their fears, angers or misgivings on public policy dealing with marijuana, we'll succeed. By that definition, we've already succeeded. And we won't stop until we get them to stop putting people in jail simply for trying to feel better."

Marchers carried posters urging reform of marijuana laws. Messages included, "Educate and regulate, don't incarcerate." Newland led chants such as, "Here to keep cops off kids."

And despite earlier concerns by Rapid City School District officials over the starting point of the march - at Sixth and Columbus streets in front of Dakota Middle School - no protesters were seen.

This was the sixth year for the march but the first for Rapid City.
Newland said it's the best-known single international event centered on the cannabis plant, and he called Saturday a day of protest against putting people in jail.

"Its timing served us well," he added, referring to legislative efforts the coalition is sponsoring and petition signatures being gathered Saturday. - "We have to turn in enough signatures Tuesday to get the issue of legalizing industrial hemp on the ballot for the November election."

Marchers were more than happy to share their views on why they want hemp legalized - although most chose to share only their first names.

"Vince" was visiting Newland from Florida, so he joined the march. He said he feels most politicians choose to fight the marijuana issue simply to give an impression that they're doing something.

"They've chosen to fight something that goes against what most people say is not a battle to be fought," Vince said. He added, "A good percentage of people have smoked pot or do it now, so if those people are fighting this, then they are hypocrites. At least there's a few individuals that will still stand for something."

Another marcher, who identified himself as Garry, said he thinks marijuana has good points and bad points. "I believe it's useful to a certain extent if you don't abuse it. If you abuse it, it'll use you."

Marchers represented a cross-section of the population, some with children in tow. The march ended without incident at Memorial Park.