May 27, 1969
TORONTO (CP) -- Beatle John Lennon Monday pledged himself to the pursuit of peace and said he is off "drugs, alcohol and all those things that interfer with what I have to do."
The pop singer, granted a 10-day stay in Canada by immigration authorities, said marijuana "interferes with my mind."
Lennon, 28, flew to Montreal Monday night with his wife Yoko, 34, and her daughter Kyoko, 5. He said he and Yoko would stay in bed for "seven days and seven nights" and he invited Prime Minister Trudeau to join them.
Earlier Monday Lennon attended a two-hour hearing on his admissibility to enter Canada.
He flew to Canada from the Bahamas Sunday because it was "too hot." He had gone there after being refused permission to enter the U.S. because of a marijuana conviction.
Lennon said he will re-arrange his schedule if it's possible to meet Mr. Trudeau.
"He seems like a nice guy," said Lennon. "Maybe he's going to be the first premier to plant the acorns for peace."
Lennon said he and his wife will continue their efforts to enter the U.S.
"It's going to be pretty strange nation that insists on keeping out two peaceful, non-violent people," he said. "We want to go to the States to encourage the kids not to be so violent in their non-violence."