[420 Girl]

KEENE – Several marijuana protesters are facing misdemeanor charges after being arrested during a demonstration at last weekend's Pumpkin Festival.

About two dozen protesters, who meet daily in Central Square in Keene at 4:20 p.m. to protest drug laws by allegedly smoking pot in public, set up camp in front of City Hall Saturday with signs and bull-horn messages promoting legalization.

State and local police stood on the outside of the group, which managed to draw a small crowd for about 30 minutes, but largely allowed the protest to proceed. But at 4:20 Richard Paul, 40, of Keene, allegedly lit a marijuana cigarette.

Paul was arrested without incident.

Though the crowd booed when he was led away, the demonstration remained peaceful.

Noah James, 19, who was listed as homeless in the Keene area, and Evan Pierce, 19, of Austin, Texas, were also arrested.

"The first three arrests were made for possession of marijuana, whereas the suspects were allegedly smoking marijuana in front of Keene Police Officers," according to a statement from Keene police.

Paul and James were released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail.

Pierce was held until yesterday for refusing to be processed, a violation of a city ordinance, said Keene Police Lt. Jay Duguay. He was released yesterday morning after letting police process him, Duguay said.

After the arrests, many of the protesters refused to leave City Hall after they were asked by state police, according to Keene police. State police ended up arresting three people, two of whom wouldn't give their names. A third man, Dan Steward, 48, of Evansville, Ind., was arrested and charged. It is unclear what he was charged with, and state and local police were unavailable for further comment.

Steward was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail. The two men who would not give their names were held at the Cheshire County Jail in Westmoreland.

According to Keene police, all of the charges are misdemeanors.


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