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 Mayor’s Office of Communications
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/30/13

News Release

City Prevails in CAMP (Coalition for the Abolition of Marijuana Prohibition Legal Defense Fund) Hearing

ATLANTA - Federal District Court Judge Steve Jones on Friday denied the Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed against the City of Atlanta by the Coalition for the Abolition of Marijuana Prohibition Legal Defense Fund (“CAMP”). CAMP sought an injunction forcing the city to allow CAMP to have the Great Atlanta Pot Festival in Freedom Park. The Court ruled that the city did not violate CAMP’s right to free speech by denying a festival permit. The city does not allow any outdoor festivals to occur inside of Freedom Park because of restrictions by the State regarding how the Park may be used. The Court agreed that the city’s actions were lawful and did not discriminate against CAMP because of its message.

Although the city did not allow a festival permit, the City granted a permit to CAMP to conduct its “Global Cannabis March” through Freedom Park on May 4, 2013, and has allowed this march through Freedom Park the past six years. The city will allow CAMP to hold its Great Atlanta Pot Festival on the streets next to Freedom Park on May 4, 2013.

“The City of Atlanta has a history of commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of its citizens and the city’s actions regarding the CAMP Festival reflect that commitment,” said City Attorney Cathy Hampton.

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