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At all the 4.20 protests I've attended it is clear what is
going on and who is a part of it. The protesters are bold and
confident, not antagonistic or irresponsible. The purpose of
the protests are to get people talking about marijuana and
the ridiculous laws that govern it, to put faces to the NORML
people who enjoy marijuana.
Sending plain clothes police in to deal with the unlawfulness
of a group who, openly and publicly state their non-harmful
intentions is the reality of New Zealand's marijuana
laws.
When the law changes, plain clothes detectives will be free
to investigate real crime and marijuana smokers will be able
to enjoy a pipe in a cafe.
Submitted by philbert on Fri, 25/07/2008 - 6:57pm.
The university should not allow any spying on political
activities taking place on campus. That includes police
spying on who is at a "smoke-in". Police should have better
things to do, and if their photos are published it will
perhaps help get their priorities right!
Submitted by Jnette Saxby on Fri, 25/07/2008 - 4:35pm.
I am a former student of Canterbury University and happened
to be on Campus last year at the start of the Undie 500, and
what a great event and fun buzz it used to be.
It seems to have been canned for nothing short of a lack of
vision and planning. There are far worse events that cater
for people of all various tastes. Most sporting events are
not something you would take your Nana to these days. Yet
when a long-standing tradition is stopped, I think it
reflects poorly, not on the students but the boffins in
office.
Serously Mr Mayor and Mr Chancellor. Why didn't you organise
a dance band and a few porta loos and rubbish tins to cater
for the young people and their event. Why not get behind
these bright uni students and show some support. I have heard
if you treat people with respect they will treat you the
same.
The riot last year was a display of intolerance and it seems
to be embedded in the sneaky and underhand policing we have
in New Zealand.
The university should be a community. The senate and VC seem
to have lost sight of that and are determined to punish their
way to good behaviour.
Eg, Campus Watch is a good idea. A group whose job it is to
help students, ensure they are OK. But when they start
harassing a student sitting by himself smoking a joint they
become something different.
I know smoking cannabis is a crime but so is littering.
Castle St after the Cookathon was carpeted with broken
glass.
What a contrast: One day groups of drunken students, many
sick with too much booze, staggering around vomiting and
breaking bottles. The next a group of students gathered
smoking cannabis, quietly and politely.
Yes what the people from NORML was doing was a crime. But
being drunk and disorderly is a crime too, and that was
sponsored by a local business, and the police helped in the
planning.
There is a double standard here.
Worik
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