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There have been a lot of memorable rock concerts in Vancouver. But there’s never been anything quite like the Anti-Canada Day punk rock show in Stanley Park on July 1, 1978.

It was billed as an Anti-Canada Day concert because it was put on by anarchists, including Ken Lester, one of the organizers of the 1971 “Smoke-In” by hippies that turned into the Gastown Riot.

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Being anarchists, they didn’t believe in getting a permit — a poster just said the show would be at Lumbermen’s Arch at 1 p.m.

Alas, when the bands and fans showed up, the site was already taken by a group that had gotten a permit. So the concert moved to a softball field/picnic area near Prospect Point.

A couple of guys stayed behind with a big black flag to redirect fans to the new location. Which made for quite a sight on Canada Day — maple leaf flags everywhere, and this one giant black flag, the international symbol of anarchy.

Another problem ensued at the green space near Prospect Point — a Christian group was having a picnic there.