Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jun 2007
Source: Lismore Northern Star (Australia)
Copyright: APN News & Media Ltd 2007
Contact:  http://www.northernstar.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4156
Author: Helen Jack
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Nimbin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

DRUG REFORM PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE LISMORE

Lismore Protesters Court Publicity

THE Lismore Courthouse was the scene for a peaceful protest yesterday 
when 20 people gathered to voice opposition over the outlawing of 
cannabis and to support a group of people facing court charged with 
drug-related offences after Nimbin MardiGrass.

Protest organiser and Nimbin Hemp Embassy president Michael 
Balderstone said the protest was never intended to disrupt court 
proceedings yesterday.

"We were there to support people who were busted and to witness the 
whole affair, and to make our point that the war against cannabis is 
a lost war," he said.

"Nowhere is this more evident than in Nimbin. Why don't we treat it 
(the use of cannabis) as a health issue instead?"

Lismore Court registrar Michael Knock said the protesters were 
friendly and amenable to any request by court staff.

"I could hear them from my office and the senior sheriff spoke to 
them at our request and they turned down their loud hailer, but we 
had no problems," he said. 
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