marching down Avenid Cinco de Mayo

About a thousand people took to the streets of Buenos Aires on December 18 to celebrate a year of marijuana activism and call for the right to grow their own plants. The march, led by student groups from around the country, ended at the Argentine Congress building, where speakers addressed the marchers. We present two dozen+ photos from the day here, courtesy Argentine activists.Marching behind a banner saying "No to the Drug Traffic," the protestors criticized drug prohibition as fueling violent drug trafficking organizations. Another banner called for "An end to ignorance, the right to grow your own, and education for responsible consumption."The Argentine courts decriminalized marijuana possession for personal use last year, but cultivation remains a criminal offense. The Buenos Aires demonstrators want to see cultivation legalized as well.

marching down Avenid Cinco de Mayo

"no to the black market drug trade"

demonstrators mass in front of the Argentine Congress

in front of the Argentine Congress (courtesy Marcelo de Rienzo)

Rosario Association for Cannabis Studies

marching through Buenos Aires

a boisterous crowd

"Cultivate your rights, Rosario"

Cannabis Association of La Plata

protesting in downtown Buenos Aires

"enough of ignorance, yes to grow your own, education for responsible consumption"

Mike Bifari in Rosario Global Marijuana March t-shirt

"Growing your own -- the end of the black market drug trade"

no to the black market drug trade

addressing the crowd

passions run high

in front of the Congress

activist Mike Bifari takes a load off his feet

unidentified activist addresses the crowd

a wake up call for central Buenos Aires

marching through downtown

Justice in the province of Formosa, please!

unidentified activist (l), Mike Bifari (r)

in front of the Congress

Bifari addresses the marchers

addressing the crowd