 | NORML News: Auckland 4:20 “doing it in public” |
 NORML NEWS SUMMER 2008. BY HARRY CORDING
In late 2005 a small group of
Auckland activists started
meeting in Albert Park at 4.20 on
Friday afternoons. Two years on,
the weekly 4.20 Sessions have
become the city’s focal point for
cannabis activism.
It is a liberating experience
to smoke herb in public, in the
company of fellow herbalists who
are not afraid to stand up for their
rights. Especially as the area is
under CCTV surveillance, along
with occasional appearances by
police. It shows there is strength
in numbers - there are simply too
many tokers to arrest.
However, there has been some
police harassment specifically
targeting Ken Morgan - roaring
lion and convicted cannabis
cultivator. In August three cops
turned up and went straight for
him. Apart from checking a few
bags “for alcohol”, they did not
seem interested in anyone else.
Ken was charged with breach
of bail, possession for supply
(indictably), selling cannabis,
possession, possession of pipe,
possession of seeds and smoking
cannabis. He was remanded in
custody till the following Monday.
They put tight cuffs on him when
he was arrested him and the
marks on his wrists were visible
the following afternoon. To top it
off, he was strip searched.
After being bailed, Ken was
raided and arrested again the
following morning. Police told
the court he had been convicted
22 times while on bail, when in
fact he has no convictions while
on bail. The allegations were
disproved and he was bailed that
afternoon - then raided yet again
the next morning. Along the way
his phone, camera and laptop
were confiscated.
None of this has discouraged
our group of dedicated freedom
fighters. Thanks to the cops, the
4:20 Sessions have changed from
being largely a social occasion to
a staunchly political event, that
often culminates in a march down
to Queen Street, with signs held
high saying “Know Your Rights”,
“I Do Not Consent to a Search”,
and “End The Drug War”.
To mark the second anniversary
of the 4.20 Sessions on Friday
November 2, a lovely cannabis
plant was ceremonially planted.
It lasted about five minutes before
two cops arrived to take the plant
away. People kept openly toking
while the cops were there, and
no arrests were made - right on! To give credit where it is due, the
two officers were not interested in
hassling anyone.
The Cannabus is back on the
road and appearing at the 4.20
Sessions. It looks great and is
impossible to ignore!
Friday 4:20 every Friday at the Victoria St East entrance to Albert Park, up
from The Hempstore. Redeye Productions have been filming the 4.20 events. You can
see the evidence on youtube
and sealion.co.nz
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