We made good trouble on the front steps of the White House

Monday’s protest at the White House in support of clemency for all federal cannabis prisoners reminded the President that his work on Cannabis is nowhere near done, and that the people will hold his feet to the fire until all our incarcerated friends and family are home.

SSDP Student Leaders from across the country joined in the action including the fiercely courageous Maya, Zee and Franz of UT Dallas Texas, Bliss from Columbia University in New York, Justin of UC Santa Cruz in California, Hena Malik of University of Florida, Gina Giorgio of Wake Forest North Carolina, and Maddie Rocket of Drexel University in Philadelphia. We were hosted by Laura Goodfield President of our local GW Chapter(group training pick below). SSDP board members Kat Ebert, Raiden Washington, Evan Hazlet, Maya Tatum, Mallory Culbert and Kat Murti were in attendance and SSDP staff members Jeremy Sharp, Jake Plowden, Robert Hofmann and Jason Ortiz kept the protest orderly and safe. Thank you all for your service to the movement and to SSDP!

Monday October 24th was a powerful moment of collective action and unity. Huge thanks to the Last Prisoner Project and the DC/MD Marijuana Justice Crew Adam Eidinger, Kris Furnish and Nicholas Schiller. Special shout out to Steve DeAngelo and M1 for bringing the fire and the culture, and to Kristin Flor and the whole family at Freedom Grow for coming so strong with formerly incarcerated allies and the stories of the thousands still currently incarcerated.

(Photo credit: Raiden Washington, Giacobazzi Yanez, and  https://wtop.com/gallery/media-galleries/1-taken-into-custody-during-rally-for-cannabis-clemency/) 

SSDP student leaders took occupation of 17th st to block access the Eisenhower Staff Building to demand Biden make good on his promise to release federal cannabis prisoners. His recent executive action while helpful, did not release a single person from prison. We held the street for most of the afternoon until Adam Eidinger’s 50ft joint came into the picture and effectively blocked the entire width of 17th st. SSDP Board member and Columbia University Chapter Co-President Sarah Noon was the only arrest for unlawful entry to the White House property. Her charges were dropped the next morning and no further legal recourse will be necessary. No one was hurt throughout the entirety of the direct action.

SSDP Press Secretary and Immediate Past Board Chair Maya Tatum was busy throughout the day with the numerous press outlets that arrived. Here are just some of the news articles from the demonstration:

• Washington Post: With speeches, stars and a blow-up joint, protesters press Biden on pot

• Washington Post: Sentenced to 40 years, Biden’s marijuana pardons left him behind

• NY Post: Pot activists vow protest after Biden omits thousands of prisoners from mass pardon

• NY Post: Pot protest slams Biden for ‘self-serving’ and ‘disgusting’ pardon stunt

• REASON: Outside the White House, Protestors Urge Biden to Release Nonviolent Marijuana Offenders

• REASON: Biden’s Marijuana Pardons Did Not Free a Single Federal Prisoner or Deliver the Expungement He Promised

• WTOP: 1 taken into custody during rally for cannabis clemency

• Roll Call: Capitol Lens | Going for toke

• Cronkite News: Protesters push Biden on pledge to pardon pot possession convictions

• DC News NOW: Dozens demand Biden release people serving time for marijuana convictions

• High Times: Arizonans Benefitting From Biden’s Weed Pardons

• Marijuana Moment: Activist Arrested At White House Protest Pushing Biden To Release Marijuana Prisoners

• Green Market Report: White House Cannabis Protesters Challenge Biden to Follow Through on Pardons

• Filter Magazine: White House Protest to Urge Release of All Federal Cannabis Prisoners

• Celeb Stoner: At White House Pot Prisoner Protest, Only One Arrest