4/20 Occupy March to campus 2012

Despite efforts made by University of Colorado officials to quash the annual 4/20 pot celebration, people still made it on campus to light up.

Police tape surrounded the grassy area of Norlin Quadrangle, but that didn't deter some students from crossing the line.

Early in the afternoon three students were taken away in handcuffs after parking themselves on the lawn. Minutes later a student was spotted reading near a group of trees. He went unnoticed by cops for several minutes, but agreed to move along after threatened with a ticket.

Other students made less risky statements. First year Law student, Laura Schneider paraded campus with a sign reading "Big Brother can CU."

The campus was closed to non-affiliates of the University. Anyone entering campus was required to present a valid Buff One Card. Sophomore, Peter Zupan, taped his Buff card to his forehead as a statement against the "ridiculous" actions taken by the school.

The campus remained quiet in comparison to past 4/20 events, until the Occupy Boulder movement stepped in. A small group of people met at City Park on Canyon and Broadway. The group marched up Broadway and through the hill, gaining supporters along the way. Students, Boulder residents and other marijuana advocates took part.

They marched through campus with little preventative efforts from police, and ended up on the grass outside of Duane Physics building. An estimated 300 people gathered in protest and 400 more gathered to watch.

As tradition holds, people smoke pot at exactly 4:20 PM on April, 20. This year was no different. The crowd counted down and cheered as the clock turned. A cloud of smoke filled the air, despite police presence around the protest. The crowd dissipated shortly after, and protesters expressed a general sense of accomplishment.

Following the event, CU police said "minimal disruptions happened on campus."

Videography by Eric Wang.