Bong Hits 4 Ashcroft

The winner of the most creative marijuana protest act of 2009 so far… Trevor Titman!

Photo by Trevor Titman - see full size at TrevorTitman.com

Browsing through the University of Texas newspaper I saw that John Ashcroft was scheduled to speak at the University. I had the idea of taking the photo almost immediately.

I wanted to protest the drug policy of the justice department under John Ashcroft and thought that simply getting a photo with John Ashcroft and a bong was enough to make a statement of my views. I only bought the pipe two hours before the speaking event and thought I had a very slim chance of pulling off the photo. Finding someone to take the photo was a problem. People have been thrown to the ground and tasered for less than this.

I walked into the hall where Ashcroft was speaking about an hour late. There was no problem getting my bong loaded backpack in the event. It was Q&A time and it seemed like many people there disagreed with Ashcroft’s torture policy. Afterward the Q&A there was a mess of people leaving the room and going up to have a brief chat or photo with Mr. Ashcroft.

My photographer and I nervously advanced to the front of the room. There were a number policemen and security guards and we had no interest in getting tasered and spending the night in jail. I got close… Ashcroft was taking a photo with someone and talking to them. When my photographer was in position… I got John Ashcroft’s attention and ask for a photo. I quickly pulled out the bong while my photographer snapped the photo. He then saw what I had done and yelled “GET YOUR MARIJUANA EQUIPMENT OUTTA HERE!!”. I told him quickly and politely that I did not agree with his drug policies and quickly left.