Media Alert

8th July 2004

Human rights activists in Darwin are concerned for
their safety and the safety of the public at this
week's Network Against Prohibition (NAP) Community
Smoke-In for Human Rights.

Event organisers have vowed that the event will go
ahead on Saturday despite the refusal of Darwin City
Council to issue a permit. An appeal has been lodged
with the Local Government Review Tribunal however it
is not expected that the appeal will be heard before
Saturday.

The Community Smoke-Ins, held regularly in Darwin's
Raintree Park, form part of the Darwin communities
ongoing struggle against the Northern Territory Labor
Government's 'drug house' legislation which allows
police to place a 1.2 metre high flourescent green
sign on the front fence of a house or business.

Once a house or business is sign-posted, police can
raid the premises without a warrant whenever they
like, they can conduct cavity searches on anyone on
the premises and stop, question and issue restraining
orders to anyone within 200 metres of the sign. No
charges need to be laid and police do not need a
conviction to declare a house a 'drug premises'.

Police attacked peaceful protesters at the first
Community Smoke-In held in April 2002. Two activists
were injured and five arrested.

Police attacked again in October 2002 provoking a
mini-riot in Darwin's Smith Street Mall. Four police
vehicles were damaged in the mayhem and NAP activists
still face a trial for criminal damage charges later
this year.

NAP spokesperson Michael Barry said "We have conducted
seventeen Community Smoke-Ins since April 2002 and we
have only had trouble at two of them. If police stay
away we can guarantee that there will be no trouble."

"We are concerned that Council's refusal to issue a
permit for our regular drug law reform event paves the
way for unnecessary and unwelcome police interventions
on Saturday. The police have a vested interest in drug
prohibition and the 'drug house' laws and they have
always been keen to stomp on NAP's drug law reform
activities whenever they have the opportunity."

"Council's refusal is politically motivated and aimed
at silencing vocal dissent over drug prohibition."

NAP members are on edge after a police raid on the
home of NAP Coordinator Gary Meyerhoff this morning.
Meyerhoff has been issued with a Cannabis Infringement
Notice.

This month's Community Smoke-In has a Christmas in
July theme and Santa will be taking time out from his
workshop in the North Pole to support drug law reform
in the Top End of Australia.

The event kicks off at 12 noon this Saturday.