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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Stockport cannabis cafe raided AGAIN!
Nol van Schaik Press Release
Thursday 03 Oct 2002 NO EMBARGO. This Press message has been forwarded to you by the Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org Press Office on behalf of: Nol van Schaik, Soft drugs salesman. co-founder of the Dutch Experience coffeeshop, Stockport, UK. All enquiries to Nol van Schaik Mobile : 0031651852545 Dutch Experience Press contact . Nol van Schaik, www.dutchexperience.org www.globalhempmuseum.nl 0031651852545 Stockport, UK, October 4, 2002. After the conviction of Colin Davies, yesterday, in Manchesters Crown Court, where he received a total sentence of 3 years in custody, the Greater Manchester Police Force decided to raid the cannabiscafe in Stockport once again. They came in full force this time, about 40 police officers, including members of the Riot-squad, and raided the Dutch Experience cannabiscafe. People were sent out, none of them was caught in possession of cannabis, but during the clearing, the police arrested a DE-fender, as the Protesters for Colin's project are called. Dibbz was banged with his head on the table for raising his voice in protest, and handcuffed, for insultive behaviour. Another protester and his girlfriend were arrested too, the girl for being behind the bar. The police then searched the place, and left after doing so, locking the door behind him. As ususal, after a raid on the place, one of the DE-fenders managed to get into the place, and re-opened the door, to let the waiting crowd in. The police was alarmed about this, by the opposing gym in the passage where the cannabiscafe is located. They came back to clear the place out again, eveybody, but one, was allowed to leave un-harrassed. The person that was arrested on the premises, was Colin Davies' brother Mark, who was answering the call of nature, when the raid occurred. He was caught with his pants down, suspected of burglaring the place, where he has been a regular from day one! Mark was released after a few hours, thanks to Colin's solicitor, Chris Hinett, who also told the police they had no right to raid the place, they had no warrant to do so. Mark was released without charges, but he is under police bail, for the moment. The GMP stated that they acted on behalf on the estate agent, who wants to re-possess the place for the owner. Hinett informed them of the fact that the courtcase over an eventual right to eviction was serving on October 16, so that was not correct. The GMP also stated they acted on behalf of Colin Davies, to protect his property ! Hinett told them that he had last seen Colin after the trial, hours earlier, but Colin had not said any such thing to him, his solicitor, about it. The solicitor also told the police he considered the raids illegal, and the following siege of the premises by the police. Nevertheless, the police maintains its positions around the cannabiscafe, around the clock, the coppers eating up taxmoney for doing double hours. In the meanwhile, the DE-fenders set up some tents on the lawn, just outside Stockport Village, in which the Dutch Experience is located. They intend to stay there, observing the police-officers that guard the gates to the passage now, they only allow members of the gym in the passage. The camp is allowed there by the police, 'as long as they do not harrass the officers on duty', so the siege is under siege, by the De-fenders, in outrage over Colins penalty. More protesters are invited through the internet, tents are being offered, blankets are very welcome, and the snifferdog sniffs. The DE-fenders will stay there until the police leaves, 24/7, but at least until the 16th of October, when the decision about the eventual eviction is taking place. The Struggle of Stockport has been taken to the trenches now, the stand off is practically physical, the question is : Who will blink first ? Nol van Schaik, END
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