Green Army NY Storms the Beach

Hello Soldiers,

We have news from the front! The battle for Coney Island was a rounding success!

The day started at Green Army NY headquarters in Bayside, Queens with battle preparation. As we laid the groundwork for our fight, there were rumblings amongst the troops of defeat. It was a rainy day and morale was low. But, after the preparations were complete, we shouldered our worries along with our supplies and loaded up the USS Explorer. With the ship prepped and loaded, we headed out for our first combat operation.

The USS Explorer got us close, but we had to switch transport modes, so as not to miss the opening shots of the battle. We transferred to the Q train and rode it into the battle. We met heavy opposition at the train station, which did not bode well for us. Again, moral began sinking. We began ruminating on what might happen once we got there and were afraid of an easy defeat at the hands of the enemy.

But we exited the train and our fears were dashed!

It was then and there that Green Army NY realized we had battlefield superiority and victory was assured. As we exited the train station, we were literally mobbed. People could not sign up fast enough. It was exactly what the Army needed after the initial losses suffered during the opening salvo. It took about thirty minutes to conquer the station before we could move onto the parade grounds themselves; that is where the real battle would begin. 

This time, as we entered this new stage of the battle, we had the initiative and stormed in with a dash of confidence. Again, with so many people signing our petitions we found it hard to advance. But we stayed the course and hunkered down. We spent a solid hour on several blocks alone, before gaining ground towards the boardwalk. But once the ground had been covered, the territory was ours. Once at the boardwalk, we had to take cover; a torrential downpour had descended upon the battlefield.

But do not think for a second that it slowed us down. We headed towards the only cover available, a large pavilion that was packed with people! With the new battlefield conditions, we decided to switch tactics and deployed a divide & conquer strategy. We fanned out throughout the pavilion and began getting more signatures. Again, we met overwhelming support and things went smoothly. We spent another thirty minutes there selling shirts and obtaining petition signatures before the weather cleared and the troops were able to advance deeper. We soon realized we had battlefield superiority there, with little chance for a counterattack, so the command was given to head on onwards. So we took the fight to Tamaqua.

The fight at Tamaqua became progressively easier. We enlisted the support of the bar, as well as the band – Alive & Kickin Inc. – all before the second round of drinks! The drinks flowed, as well as the ink, as we garnered more support for the cause. Before the night was over, we had enlisted a large majority of the patrons present. To cement the support shown, a Green Army NY uniform now hangs behind the Bar. 

And before we knew it, the battle was over and we were celebrating our glorious victory! 

We really found the responses to our cause gratifying. We started this organization with the purpose of bringing the discussion of marijuana legalization to a larger demographic and to break the stereotype of marijuana use that most of the non-smoking public has. Our success at the Mermaid Parade is just more proof that the time is now. People were so overwhelmingly supportive of our cause for myriad reasons that it almost makes you wonder – how can something so supported still be illegal in one of the most democratic states, in the most democratic country in the world? We need to continue to show the support that is out there or this fight will only stagnate.

Again, we at Green Army NY want to thank everyone at the Mermaid Parade this year for their support! Please check the Web site to see photographic evidence of the battle. If you were there, check to see if your picture made it into the photo albums on the Battlefields page. 

Also, keep checking the event calendar on the website for updates with new events! We can always use more soldiers gathering support with us. Plus, if you have or know of an event where Green Army NY might be able to make a difference, let us know and we will provide covering fire! Contact us through the email addresses on the homepage to let us know of an event to add on the calendar. 

Upcoming Events:

Green Army NY will be visiting the Nation’s Capital – Washington D.C.! On the 4th of July, we will be attending the 40^th annual Smoke-In Rally @ Lafayette Park. Please check the link for more info on the rally. If you’ll be in the area or you’re planning on attending, make sure to shoot us an email. We would be more than happy to link up with other like-minded people and organizations. See you in D.C.!!

Commander Noble

Commander Zadwydas

Green Army NY

Green Army @ HIGH TIMES