Amsterdam

Thousands are expected to gather on June 5^th around noon on Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam, to participate in the Third Legalize! Street Party against the Drug War. Although police have expressed some concerns about the planned route through the city, preparations are right on schedule. Earlier successful events took place in 1997, during the Euopean Summit, when around 2000 participated, and in 1998, at the occasion of the United Nations conference on drugs, when according to police estimations, some 8000 participated.

See
Amsterdam Paper Reports On Global Days Against the Drug War Scheduled For June

This time, in the weekend before the European elections, the organisers, the Legalize! Initiative, expect a great turnout of opponents of the drug war.

"It is heartening to see that finally people are raising their voices", says Arno Adelaars, author of books on drugs and drug policy, and one of the speakers at the manifestation. He warns, however, that the European Commission is making plans for a new phase in the fight against drugs. "The road to a unified Europe is paved with new prisons. And the current Dutch government is the most repressive of the last twenty-five years. Dutch politicians are giving in to pressure from Germany and France", according to Adelaars.

The Legalize! street party has become a focal point of Dutch drug policy reform activism, and is part of a growing international movement of people who think it is time for alternative policies. On May 1^st, groups in New York, San Francisco, London and elsewhere have demonstrated for the repeal of drug prohibition. On June 5^th, there will also be a demonstration in Marseille, France.

The Street Party will be a great feast, the heart of which is formed by a parade of mobile sound systems that play all styles of modern music. A joyful dancing crowd will convey the message that youth culture is an important and positive factor in public life and in society at large, with or without drugs. Half-way the march, a pause is made, the music stops, and the audience is addressed.

"To anyone who is well-informed about the physical and emotional harm that is caused by the drug war, it is clear that what is needed is not more repression and an escalation of the drug war, but reform policies aimed at reducing the damage currently done", says Freek Polak, psychiatrist from Amsterdam and one of the speakers at the event. "Fortunately, more and more people are convinced that drug prohibition has been a tragic mistake. Now it is time for politicians to show some courage and acknowledge that as well".

(Marijuananews note: Freek is a good friend. He was at the recent DPF conference in Washington.)

The reverend Hans Visser, a user-aid worker from Rotterdam, well-known for his courageous approach to help those most in need, Polak, Adelaars and others will address the crowd. The street party will start on Dam Square at 1300 hours, when the parade will start traversing the city center. It ends at the docks, where the party will continue until dark. Then ‘after parties’ will start on locations in the city center.

For latest information about this unique event see http://www.legalize.org or write to alliance@legalize.org.