Introduction
Drug prohibition policies are escalating crime, eroding our civil
liberties, fostering fear and division in our communities and incarcerating
an ever increasing number of poor. It was recently estimated that between
71% and 83% of the 7,500 full time NSW prisoners are incarcerated for drug
related crimes.
Mandatory sentencing was introduced in the US as a tough-on-drugs measure.
Getting tough on drugs was a cover for getting tough on the poor. By
following the US on its drug prohibition path, the NSW government is
steadily reverting NSW to penal colony status again.
Amnesty for Drug War Prisoners
Justice Action (JA), the Australian Cannabis Law Reform Movement (ACLRM)
and other organisations are collaborating in a pre-Olympic campaign to
reduce the NSW prisoner population.
We are calling for the NSW Government to:
* grant an amnesty to all prisoners incarcerated because of drug related
offences
* shorten sentences by reinstating remissions for good behaviour
The US driven War on Drugs is global and the global media that will be
focused on Sydney by the Olympic Games makes this time opportune for the
people of NSW and their government to take leadership to end the Drug War
and release its prisoners.
Freedom Ride to Release the Prisoners of the Drug War
To create popular movement in support of this amnesty demand, a Freedom
Ride will be promoted during July and August. The Freedom Ride, will be a
fleet of buses, vans and other vehicles fitted out with a satellite phone
link, web cam and internet access to give it instant global media
effectiveness.
The drug law reform road show will visit regional centres of NSW. In
particular the Freedom Ride will visit all NSW jails. In collaboration with
the prisoners, their families and friends, we will count the prisoners of
the Drug War and bear witness to the injustice and the suffering created by
bad laws.
The Freedom Ride will promote, as it goes, public meetings which bring
forth local dialogue on the issues of:
* drug war human rights erosions (the burgeoning incarceration industry in
particular)
* medicinal cannabis (the formation of local "compassion clubs" will be
promoted)
* industrial hemp (practical farmer information sessions on hemp production).
The Freedom Ride visits will nurture local and strengthen local drug law
reform advocacy by making visible the local networks of support and by
bringing forth local voices.
Graeme Dunstan, master lantern maker and long time peace activist, will
lead the Freedom Ride and the aim will be to create beautiful gatherings in
public places, light lanterns and burn cardboard replica jails in each
regional centre which through the Freedom Ride passes.
A rolling law reform road show bearing light and fire, the Freedom Ride
will generate media savvy, eye-catching images and global witness for
prison and drug law reform in NSW.
Become a Friend of theFreedom Ride
The Freedom Ride will make many friends and it needs friends to help it on
the road. It needs your support and help to amplify its advocacy for an end
to the Drug War and a release of its prisoners.
Register yourself or your organisation as a Friend of the Freedom Ride.
Make a donation (cheques payable to Justice Action)
More Information:
Box 386 BROADWAY 2007 tel 0412 609 373 fax 02 9281 5303
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop
Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
