Matt Agorist | The Free Thought Project

Maricopa County, AZ — Members of the group Legalize Marijuana Arizona, purchased a campsite at the Nascar races at the Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona recently, only to be shut down and run out of the park by Free Speech-hating prohibitionist deputies.

Deputy Don Hess with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office decided that it was his duty to stifle the actions of the group, who had paid to be there, and he and his fellow deputies descended upon the campsite where the group’s ‘Cannabus’ was parked.

According to a representative from the group, the police were quick to try to shut them down after seeing the dangerous pictures of pot leaves scattered about the area. The members of Legalize Marijuana Arizona were out there gathering signatures to a petition in support of their proposed legislation, (I-14-2016) “The Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana Act.”

These officers apparently missed the class on the First Amendment which states, “the right of the people…to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” — shall not be abridged. So, they were out in full force to shut down the group’s petitioning efforts.

According to Legalize Marijuana Arizona, the police told them they needed a solicitation license which costs thousands of dollars to ask for signatures. The officers were at the campsite forcing the group to take down their sign, hanging on their own bus, which asked for signatures.

When the representative from Legalize Marijuana Arizona heard that the police were harassing the other members at the campsite, he donned his camera and headed that way. When he walked up filming, the officer immediately violated his rights by demanding he stop filming, saying,  “because it’s private property and I said so.”

He then yanked the camera out of the man’s hand, and just like that, this officer made himself ‘YouTube famous.

Not only was the officer in violation of the First Amendment, but he was also in violation of the Phoenix Raceway rules and regulations which explicitly state:

Can I bring a camera or video recorder?

Yes! However, cameras and video recorders are permitted in the facility for home viewing use only. Images and/or footage may not be sold or used for commercial use. Camera/video bags exceeding 14″ x 14″ x 14″ will not be permitted through the grandstand admission gates.

Unfortunately, this group was still forced to leave the grounds, despite having paid for the spot for five days. Below is a perfect example of the tyranny that is fostered and expanded by the state’s immoral war on drugs. In the name of keeping this incredibly beneficial plant illegal, public servants will law waste to the rights of citizens.

Watch the video below: