FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2021
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER AND NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES TO BE JOINED BY OTHER DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS THE SHINNECOCK NATION AT NYC CANNABIS PARADE & RALLY PRESS EVENT ON MAY 1
In addition to Schumer and James, several Albany lawmakers – including Senators Alessandra Biaggi, Brian A. Benjamin and Jessica Ramos – plus Shinnecock Nation chairman Bryan Polite and a Shinnecock delegation as well as industry leader Steve DeAngelo will speak at the NYCCPR event. They will all address the recent legalization of cannabis in New York State. The presser kicks off at High Noon.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will headline this year's NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally (NYCCPR) on May 1.
The event will begin with the traditional parade at 11 am. Marchers assemble at between W. 31 St. and W. 32 St. on Broadway. The rally/press event in Union Square will begin at 12 pm.
“We're extremely excited,” says event organizer Troy Smit. “Senator Schumer is our senator and is a big supporter of cannabis law reform.”
The event, which was canceled last year due to Covid-19, will focus on the recent legalization of cannabisin New York State and New Jersey as well. It will follow New York City Covid-19 guidelines, which allows for 200 people in an outdoor space. Masks and social distancing are required.
Senator Schumer will be joined in Union Square by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, State Senators Alessandra Biaggi, Brian A. Benjamin and Jessica Ramos; Assembly members Harvey Epstein and Emily Gallagher; Chairman Bryan Polite and a Shinnecock Nation delegation from Long Island; longtime cannabis activist and Last Prisoner Project founder Steve DeAngelo; and numerous local legalization activists. All state five lawmakers were co-sponsors of the MRTA – the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act – which passed in Albany on March 30 and was signed into law the next day by Governor Cuomo.
May 1 Schedule
10:30 am: Parade assembly
11 am: Parade begins
12 pm: Rally begins in Union Square
Speakers Schedule*
12 pm Intro
12:05 Baba Israel and Grace Galu
12:10 Jawanza Williams – Vocal-NY
12:15 Pilar DeJesus (intros Epstein) – Start Smart NY
12:20 • Assembly member Harvey Epstein – AD 74, Manhattan
• Assembly member Emily Gallagher - AD 50, Brooklyn
• Assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal – AD 67, Manhattan
12:30 Leo Bridgewater – Bridge H20, Trenton
12:35 Senator Alessandra Biaggi – SD 34, Bronx/Westchester
12:45 Steve DeAngelo – Harborside, LPP, Radio Free Cannabis
12:50 Tanya Osborne (intros Ramos) – Women Grow, The Cannadiva
12:55 Senator Jessica Ramos – SD 13, Queens
1:00 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – US Senator since ’99
1:10 Attorney General Letitia James
1:20 • Floyd Jarvis - Ganja War Veterans for Equity
• Grizzly Bocourt – A Rebel Minded Society, Cannaware Society
1:25 • Landon Dais (intros Fitzpatrick & Benjamin) – Hellfighters PAC, Plant Inspired Future, attorney
• Phelan Dante Fitzpatrick – City Council District 3 candidate
1:30 Senator Brian Benjamin – SD 30, Manhattan
1:35 • Jake Plowden – Cannabis Cultural Association co-founder
• Ryan Lepore – NY NORML, Presto Doctor director of business development
1:40 • Vlad Bautista and Ramon Reyes – Happy Munkey
• Hector Gerardo – 1 Freedom One Community
1:45 • Kebra LaShawn Smith - Women Grow CT, New Haven nurse
• Haley Goetz – Decriminalize Nature
1:50 • Emily Ramos – Hi Mi Madre co-founder
• Alicia Reap – National Expungement Week
1:55 • Bryan Polite – Shinnecock Nation chairman
• Chenae Bullock – Shinnecock Nation tribal business leader
• Shinnecock Nation delegation
2:10 • Joy Beckerman – Hemp Ace
• Nicole Ricci – NY Small Farma
2:15 • Michael O’Malley – Curved Papers
• Arlene Williams – Ganja Granny
2:20 Dana Beal – Global Marijuana March founder, Joints for Jabs
2:25 David Peel Tribute featuring Koshek Swaminathan
2:30 Ends
*This schedule is subject to change.
A follow-up NYCCPR virtual event will take place on May 2 at 1 pm ET.
For more info about the May 1-2 events, go here.
Sen. Schumer on His Cannabis Evolution
Along with Senators Booker and Wyden, Sen. Schumer is leading the federal legalization effort in the Senate. They’re currently writing legislation that would end cannabis prohibition.
“In 2018, I was the first member of the Democratic leadership to come out in support of ending the federal prohibition,” he recently told Politico. “I'm sure you ask, 'Well what changed?' Well, my thinking evolved. When a few of the early states – Oregon and Colorado – wanted to legalize, all the opponents talked about the parade of horribles: Crime would go up. Drug use would go up. Everything bad would happen.
“The legalization of states worked out remarkably well. They were a great success. The parade of horribles never came about, and people got more freedom. And people in those states seem very happy.
“I think the American people started speaking with a clear message – more than two to one – that they want the law changed. When a state like South Dakota votes by referendum to legalize, you know something is out there.”
About NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally
One of the longest-running cannabis legalization events in the country, the NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally began in 1973 as a “Smoke-In” in Washington Square Park. A march was added to the proceedings several years later.
More recently, the event has taken place in Union Square Park following the parade. Speeches and music educate and entertain the crowd. Speakers have included Assembly member Richard Gottfried, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon. Performers have included Redman, Immortal Technique and 420 Funk Mob.
Press Contact
Stu Zakim – Bridge Strategic Communications
732-754-9051
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