Beacon Hill Prepares for Massive Hemp Rally on Common

Civic association alerts neighbors to be prepared for crowds of up to 50,000 at this year's HempFest.
By Kimberly Ashton
Source: beaconhill.patch.com

Beacon Hill is used to dealing with the influx of protestors, tourists and others who come to events on the Boston Common, but this Saturday's huge Freedom Rally/HempFest puts some residents' mettle to the test.

"It's an event that poses some real challenges," said Colin Zick, chairman of the Beacon Hil Civic Association's Parks and Public Spaces Committee. The size of the rally – up to 50,000 people expected – combined with what Zick calls "the nature of the event" has cased friction with residents in past years.

Mostly the problem has been with noise, Zick said. Years ago Beacon Hill also had problems with people spilling into the neighborhood but those have abated in recent years, Suzanne Besser, the executive direction of the Beacon Hill Civic Association, said.

Noise and crowds are expected to be an issue again this year as the event – a rally to support the legalization of marijuana – takes over the Common with live music playing from two bandstands and full roster of speakers.

Thursday the Beacon Hill Civic Association sent out the following notice to their members Thursday:

This Saturday, September 17, marks the 22nd Annual Boston Freedom Rally. This is an annual event held on the third Saturday in September. It is traditionally the second largest annual gathering demanding marijuana law reform in the United States, after the Seattle Hempfest. It is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MASS CANN), the Massachusetts state affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws also known as MASS CANN/NORML.  

The event will take place on the Boston Common beginning at 12 noon. An expected 35,000-50,000 people are expected to attend, and live performances will take place on two music stages during most of the day.  

Please note that this is a permitted event and the Boston Police Department will be monitoring it closely. We anticipate that the event will go smoothly but, given the large amount of people attending, we thought it wise to provide you with the following information:

To report excessive noise from events on the Boston Common:  

Park Ranger Dispatch: 617- 635- 7383

The Common Ranger Station: 617- 635-7412

To report illegal or unsafe behavior and activities:  

 Area A-1 Boston Police Department Captain Bernie O'Rourke, who will be present at the event, asks you to call his cell phone at 617-594-4283. Please give your address so that he may properly solve the problem.