London Cannabis March & Festival postponed

The London Cannabis March & Festival planned for Sat 5th May 2001 as part of a global cannabis action in 125 cities, has been postponed until Sat 16th June 2001. March route, festival venue and times remain the same.

Organisers of the London event say the heaviest rainfall in 100 years (global warming) has made the decision to postpone the event unavoidable. The festival site at Brockwell Park, Brixton is completely waterlogged and with more heavy rain forcasted there is now no chance that the site can recover in time.

Lambeth Council park officials advised the organisers on Wednesday that the park would be badly damaged if the event went ahead and that the condition of the ground was so bad that the health and safety of those attending could be put at risk.

A festival spokesperson said "It is with great regret that we have come to this decision but we cannot risk the health and safety of our supporters nor do we wish to cause serious damage to Brockwell Park, which is an important local amenity."

The march and festival is part of an annual 'global cannabis action' happening this year in 125 cities worldwide on May 5th. The annual event, organised by a rapidly growing international coalition of cannabis campaigning groups, businesses and individuals, is calling for an global end to the prohibition of cannabis for recreational, medical and industrial purposes.

Last year on May 6th the march and festival, organised in full cooperation with the Metropolitan Police and Lambeth Council, attracted over 30,000 people calling for an end to cannabis prohibition. There were no arrests.

A cannabis coalition spokesperson said "The London Cannabis Festival and March may be temporarily postponed but Sat May 5th is still a global day of cannabis freedom and protest in 125 cities worldwide and that includes Britain. We encourage anyone who supports an early end to cannabis prohibition to do something useful in their local area on Sat May 5th and to prepare to 'Come out For Cannabis' at the largest and most enjoyable anti-prohibition event in Britain's history on Sat June 16th."

Saturday June 16th 2001 - London Cannabis March & Festival Timetable:
* 12 noon - Carnival March to End the Prohibition of Cannabis: Assemble in Kennington Park - Oval Tube. Departs 1.00 pm sharp to Brockwell Park, Brixton. Floats, samba band and more. Bring spirit, humour, banners, drums, your voice, to celebrate, remonstrate and 'dance on the grave of Cannabis Prohibition' through Brixton to the Cannabis Freedom Festival. Everyone counts.
* 2 pm - 8.00pm - Cannabis Freedom Festival, Brockwell Park, Brixton: Free (99p) entrance for four stages of live bands plus sound systems galore, Hemp Expo, Medical Cannabis Marquee, Speakers Tent, food and cannabis related stalls, cannabis cinema, hemp beer, hemp ice cream and clothes, special kids area, comedy, performers, information and celebration. Everyone invited.
* May 5th & June 16th information updates: http://www.cannabiscoalition.org
* Information lines: 020 7637 7467. 020 7738 5148. 020 7267 8320.

Latest Updates