In my opinion, if you do that, you are acting like a criminal. Everytime the police do this sort of thing and people return to Up In Smoke, the police lose, and the people win.

It's clear now the hamilton cops have some sort of vendetta agaist UIS. No other 420 retaliation has happened, even here where vic towes reared his head at the rally!

Posted by puff mama...

Clearly you guys haven't met our Hamilton friends. They don't just push buttons, they hammer them in! And we love them for it! No vendetta at all. If they were to pull their stunts in any other city, they would have been closed long ago. But Chris pushes the envelope more than anyone I know, and has the police staff cleanly divided. Divide and conquor. We'll be there tomorrow in full force!!

I once read a book by Pearl S Buck called The Living Reed about the Japanese occupation of China. The Living Reed was a revolutionary who'd hide in the hills and attack the enemy when they weren't prepared. The father of this guy knew it was his son because he used to tell him that to be invincible you need to live like a reed. If your stock is cut down, the plant wil never die. Instead many shoots will sprout and take the place of the single stock. It was an inspiring book, and I try to think like this as an activist. My buddy just went down, I will sprout up now, along with others. TOMORROW WE PROTEST!!!

The police have handed the keys over to Dana Larsen and the store has been re-occupied by the good people.

An assessment of the looting and seizing is being done at 10.20 p.m. Hamilton time.

The cops have finally left the Up In Smoke.

They emptied the cafe of all bongs and pipes. They took a pot-leaf flag, some posters off the walls, and other such items too.

We will be reopening at 11am tomorrow. If you're around please come by to show support.

We're having a rally at noon. Starting at Ferguson Station and heading to the Cop Shop around 1:30 or so. We will be handing out sidewalk chalk for people to show their disgust with the police action.

Exciting times. This reminds me of the early days of Marc Emery's Hemp BC store. Although back then we never had this kind of police harassment of clients and staff.

I am not sure if I'm going to go to Niagara tomorrow, it might be better to stay here and help with this situation.

There's a big bunch of folks coming up from Toronto to show support.

There's some anecdotes and tales to share but those will have to wait untiil I get another chance to get online.

sad sad day indeed. i and a few other will be at uis early tomorrow. expect pics soon. hudson out.

i didn't think the cops could seize LEGAL inventory like that ... i've read some reports where people have sued the cops for the return of their inventory in cases like this ... but i'm tired and my memory might be failing me ...

*edit*
attached a pic to hopefully raise people's spirits ... firtyve planning on wearing the shirt tomorrow at the event in niagara