|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
DEMO Stockport Friday 5th July
Nol van Schaik Dutch Experience Press Release
Thursday 04 Jul 2002 Colin Davies back to Strangeways prison after hell day in Court Stockport/Haarlem, 3 July 2002. Colin Davies was arrested last Monday, July 1, for being in his flat, for a good reason, he was just injected with a strong painkiller, that unable him to travel to his exile destination, Todmorden.  [Colin is on Police bail pending his court case in September, concerning his activities in setting-up the UK first cannabis café, The Dutch Experience, Stockport.] He had some cannabis about, of course, to be able to serve the 100+ patients that rely on him to supply them with their medicine, all of them suffering from serious sickness or constant pain, like himself. [Colin has TWICE been found not guilty on charges of possession with intent to supply cannabis, by juries, on medical grounds) He was not allowed in or near his home, according to strange bail restrictions, activated on the day of his release from remand, May 17 2002. He was re-released on bail, for breaking bail conditions, the statements of Colin’s parents and the doctor that injected him in the hospital, were taken into consideration by the Magistrates, who decided to release Colin on the same bail restrictions.  Instead of being able to walk out a free man again, he was arrested in the Courthouse, and locked up again, this time accused with possessing cannabis in his flat.  Two protesters were also arrested by the 20 odd police in riot gear, one of them, a woman on crutches, was slammed against the wall in the process, for standing up for her husband, who was arrested, for criminal damage: he was leaning against a police van! The protesters and a Dutch friend of Colin’s, who was arrested during the raid on Colin’s flat on Monday, were all released after being bailed. Colin was tucked away in one of the cells of the Stockport Police Station, the GMP even told Chris Hinett, Colin’s solicitor, they could lock him up next to Colin, if he kept on ‘harassing’ the Police, when he protested about the second arrest for the same case. Colin asked for his doctor today 3rd July), or for the doctor that treated him last Sunday, but the hospital doctor told the police that the shot from Sunday would do the job today (Wednesday)!! Eventually, a doctor was called in from Preston, who gave Colin another shot to make him able to cope with the pain, so he could be taken to the Courtroom. Colin Davies has been remanded in Strangeways again, for the possession of cannabis. His appearance today, in Stockport Magistrates Court, was an outrageous display of misuse of power, as they appeared to drag Colin into the courtroom, whilst kicking and pushing him in the accused-box. This caused uproar in the courtroom, Colin’s sister and parents were in tears, and begged to release Colin, who was not able to walk by himself, and was crying from pain. At least ten people witnessed how Colin was manhandled, who they accuse of simulative behaviour, hard to believe from a man who’s spine is broken in 5 places. The available police in riot gear was all over the courthouse, to try and maintain the order, as protesters were shouting outside the Magistrates court, demanding Colin’s release. One of the protesters went to the Police, to file a complaint against the way Colin was treated in the box, but he can only do so, after Colin officially filed a complaint. Colin will be taken to Strangeways prison now, probably the hospital-wing, and will return to the Stockport Court on Friday, to apply for bail again. His visit to Court will surely be accompanied by a major protest on Colin’s behalf, with people gathering at the Dutch Experience, Stockport Village, Stockport from 10am, before the start of a fun-filled day of marches and demonstrations, the message will be spread through all cannabis activist sites and –clubs in the UK. It is hard to believe that the UK can go about with people like Colin as they do, for cannabis, a substance that will be considered acceptable by Law soon.  As the UK is switching to a more realistic and relaxed approach towards cannabis and its users, and we are just one week away from the effective declassification of cannabis, Colin is being picked on by the authorities as never before.  The authorities are way out of line with the upcoming reclassification, and even more out of line in how they go about with sick suspects, especially for a non-offensive crime without any victims. The press is completely focussed on the Lambeth experiment, but they have to realise that the battle for the right to buy and smoke cannabis, is going on in Stockport, and there seem to be no rules involved. The authorities are trying to get even with a man that has dared to resist them, by making his life into a hell, just because they can’t accept that the Dutch Experience, Colin’s initiative, is still open every day, and the activism around the place is ongoing and getting stronger. Colin Davies is the only victim in this ongoing confrontation; unless the authorities can point me another one? The UK government should call of their bloodhounds now, the hunting season for cannabis=users is about to be closed, in the entire country. Â
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!