BOULDER, Colo. – Three students who attended a pro-marijuana demonstration are suing the University of Colorado (CU) for posting their photos online.
The three plaintiffs, Makenna Salaverry, Megan Malone and Somerset Tullius, were participating in a pro-marijuana rally where their photos were taken. Police then posted the images online and offered a $50 reward to anyone who could identify them to the authorities.
According to the plaintiffs’ attorney, although they attended the rally, they did not smoke any pot. The attorney did not indicate, however, if the three had seen the “no trespassing” signs that were posted on the field. The signs also said the rally was under surveillance and officers were taking photos. Some rally participants even posed for the officers.
The “4/20” pro-marijuana rally is an annual event that CU has been trying to discourage. On the date of the rally, the field in question was closed from noon to 5 p.m., but students still attended.
In total, photos of 150 of the 3,000 rally participants were posted online and then linked to facebook.com. The plaintiffs allege CU went too far, treating them like Jesse James.
