Hash Bash Goes to Trash
by Dan N. (April 11, 2001)

      The 2001 Ann Arbour Hash Bash has come and gone practically without�making a sound. A few of us here at CC.net travelled to Ann Arbour to check the bash out for ourselves. We awoke early to get everything in order and then eagerly departed, looking forward to a "cloudy" day of peace and excitement. Coming from Canada we had to be prepared for customs which turned out not to be a problem. We just told them about the BBQ we were going to at a relatives and we were on our way. We arrived in Ann Arbour about 45 minutes after leaving the border and were very surprised at the large amount of traffic throughout the streets. It was now about 11:45 am and it was already looking like this would be one of the hottest days so far this year.

      As we slowly inched our way through the traffic in the car Jeff pulled out a nice joint of some homegrown organics to put us in the mood. We found a spot only a few blocks from the University of Michingan campus, which is where the actual Hash Bash rally was being held. We made our way to the campus and all the streets along the way were filled with good times. There were vendors all over selling everything from shirts to bongs and there were no cops in sight. However, when we walked on to campus and arrived at the Bash, everything changed.

      The speakers had just started and there were a few thousand people surrounding the stage. The speakers from NORML and other organizations tried to get the crowd "into it" but had little luck. There were police everywhere on foot and on bikes, and as people walked by they would stare them down. I was waiting for a police dog to tackle me and start mauling away at my pockets for the couple of joints I had brought. I also was unable to smell that odour we all love so much. That's right, no one was burning. I approached a man who was canvassing signatures for a petition to put marijuana legalization on the ballot in the next Michigan election. I asked why no one was smoking, the organizers had stated on the Hash Bash website that marijuana posession in Ann Arbour was only a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine and confiscation of your bud. He then proceeded to inform me that the University campus was patrolled by state police and therefore posession of marijuana while on campus was subject to the usual state laws. I felt duped, the organizers of the Hash Bash are surely aware of this, they've been doing it for 30 years. I can't believe they knowingly posted statements on their website that are decietful and which give people a false sense of security. Not to mention that it could have very serious outcomes on a person who is caught. I think that the people who run the Hash Bash owe each and every person who attended an apology. We're all on the same side, and last time I checked friends don't lie to eachother!

      That said, I still think people should have been blazing them up. It feels like people are afraid to truly stand up for what they believe in because it COULD get them in trouble. Have we forgotton that this is everyones world and no one has more rights to it than the next and therefore no one has the right to tell you what is good and true for you. Our only strenght is in our numbers, we must stand together and we must stand firm! Obviously the governments don't listen when we say please. We need an educated and peaceful movement and we should not be afraid to show civil disobedience. What would the police have done? Would they have arrested everyone there if they were all burning? I'd like to see them arrest three thousand peaceful people for having 1 joint each. So they'd make a few examples. If you truly believe in something you have to be willing to take a chance. I just hope that you can all remember, just because something is illegal it doesn't mean that it is deviant or wrong!!

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