Posts Tagged ‘police’
Yet More Madness In UK Drugs Policy
The Right Dishonourable Theresa May MP
Theresa May really does take the biscuit for ignoring evidence and basing her policies on prejudice and vested interests. She defines its arrogance and exemplifies how out of touch our government is, particularly on drugs policy.
Khat, according to the experts, the ACMD, a pretty harmless, gentle stimulant, is to be banned. See the BBC report here.
The ACMD recommended exactly the opposite so it really should have expected Ms May to be contrary. That’s what home secretaries do when they receive expert advice – they don’t just ignore it, they head in exactly the opposite direction.
Presently, 90,000 people in the UK are said to use khat, so Ms May has decided to turn them all into criminals overnight. Does she expect they will all stop using it? Don’t be ridiculous. All she has done is created a new criminal market. Now we can expect violence, human trafficking and organised crime to get involved. As if our police and the Border Agency don’t have enough on their hands.
Her pretext is terrorism. That’s the same excuse she offers for wanting to snoop on all our emails and internet activity. It’s the same excuse this tawdry gang of thieves in Westminster offers us for anything they don’t want to explain.
Every day that passes our government proves itself to be more corrupt and more unfit for purpose. This stupid, stupid woman is a terrible liability to our country. Build more prisons, I say. Let’s install a special wing of padded cells and move the whole cabinet in.
I will not be ruled by these fools anymore.
The First Victory In The Fight Back Against Hatred And Abuse.
I have now settled my claim for defamation against Dr Gary Potter, London South Bank University and the Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium (GCCRC), consisting of more than a dozen universities and academic institutions across the world.
The claim concerned statements published on the GCCRC website by Chris Bovey, Alun Buffry, Edwin Stratton and Stuart Wyatt. Dr Potter has published an apology on the GCCRC website which describes the statements as “derogatory“, “without evidence” and “defamatory“.
Dr Potter’s apology in full:
“On the 28 November 2012 and 29 November 2012 in response to various third party postings on the discussion forum on the GCCRC website I made certain comments about Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR), Peter Reynolds, UKCIA, and Derek Williams. The third party postings I was responding to were derogatory and provided no evidence in respect of the allegations made against Mr Reynolds, Mr Williams, CLEAR and UKCIA. As such my comments were ill-considered and I unreservedly apologise for making them.
I wish to make it clear that the GCCRC is not affiliated with, nor does it support nor oppose any particular individual or group in the cannabis law reform movement or otherwise. Its purpose is to support the carrying out of important research, and all personal information collected in the course of that research is kept strictly confidential and is never shared with third parties. I would ask that in the future individuals do not use the GCCRC site to make public defamatory comments about any third party, and in the alternative if they have legitimate concerns these should be raised by email to the GCCRC using the email functionality on the GCCRC website.”
Further terms of the settlement are confidential.
This is the first domino to fall and my High Court claims against Bovey, Buffry, Greg ‘Cure Ukay’ De Hoedt and Sarah McCulloch are proceeding apace. Those, including Stratton and Wyatt, who have also been concerned in this campaign of abuse, harassment and defamation can expect to hear from me shortly.
Of course, this abuse has not just affected me. What finally moved me to launch legal action was when the hate campaign started to target my children and my 78 year old mother. Those concerned have already been involved in abusing and blackmailing various CLEAR members. One past member of our executive committee had posted pictures of his grow on a forum and these were sent to his local police using information stolen from the CLEAR website when it was hacked in March of last year. Threats were even made against CLEAR supporters in the USA using the same stolen information. Derek Williams has suffered repeated attempts to blacken his name with his employers. I salute his courage and steadfast support.
Finally, I should make it very clear that I do not associate the estimable and reputable US organisation NORML with those involved in the management of its UK chapter (NUK), nor the NUK members who are innocent pawns in the anti-CLEAR campaign.
Not All Our Police Are Wonderful
Ex-Detective Chief Inspector April Casburn
Some are corrupt, self-serving scumbags who deserve exemplary punishment. See here.
South Yorkshire Police – Corrupt And Criminal
Hillsborough Disaster 1989
Although the investigation continues, there can be little doubt that there was a police cover-up and deliberate and organised fabrication of evidence over the Hillsborough disaster.
Now comes convincing evidence that the same South Yorkshire Constabulary engaged in exactly the same dishonesty over events at the so called ‘Battle of Orgreave’ during the miners’ strike in 1984. See the BBC report here.
Never mind the ‘institutionalised racism’ that police were accused of by the Macpherson Report in 1999, it is clear that South Yorkshire police are institutionally corrupt and criminal.
Battle of Orgreave 1984
Many officers, of all ranks, must expect to receive lengthy prison sentences.
Most worrying is that this conduct cannot be confined to South Yorkshire alone. There is a culture of close ranks, cover up and take no responsibilty amongst British police. Of course it’s a tough job which somebody has to do and while we must support and applaud those heroic bobbies who do their duty, punishment must be severe for those who cross the line into brutality and corruption. Only the killer Simon Harwood has been held to account for around 1500 deaths after ‘police contact’ since just 1990.
Police and public must join together to root out these criminal and corrupt cops, whatever their rank. They deserve long prison sentences and to live in disgrace the rest of their lives.
PC Simon Harwood, Killer Of Innocent Ian Tomlinson Acquitted!
Killer
In a decision that disgraces the British judicial system and will reverberate through our society with deeply destructive consequences, the brutal police killer of a sick old man has been set free.
Harwood killed Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protest in London in April 2009. In an entirely unprovoked and unjustifiable attack he struck Tomlinson from behind with his baton and then pushed him viciously to the ground. Tomlinson died moments later from internal bleeding.
Ian Tomlinson with Harwood behind him about to deliver the fatal blow.
This decision, although apparently taken by a jury, is unbelievable and must call into question the whole trial. Millions saw Harwood’s brutality with their own eyes on video recordings of the incident and simply will not accept this perversion of justice. Harwood has a history of violence and corruption and he must be brought to justice.
This will further damage the reputation of the police and increase the ever-widening gap between law enforcement and the public.
My deepest sympathy goes to Ian Tomlinson’s family who have suffered enough only to have this further abuse foisted upon them. This is not over yet.
Gang Culture And Drugs At The Root Of It?
“They earn money from crime, particularly from drugs…”
So do something about it! Pull the rug from underneath the gangs and organised crime. Take away their lifeblood.
Tax and regulate cannabis. Take a safer, more responsible approach. Build a properly controlled supply chain. Create jobs. Protect children. Stop wasting police time and resources. Reap the multi-billion pound and immeasurable social benefits of a sensible policy on cannabis.
Britain Needs Leadership
I know the junction in Clapham by Debenhams like the back of my hand. I have queued for hours in the post office that the armoured police vehicles were rolling by last night. It was my home and it makes it feel very close, very real. Two, three mornings every week I used to go through that door at Debenhams and buy myself a pasty from their snack bar for breakfast. I couldn’t help but weep just a little as I watched events unfold.
The scumbags need to be rounded up, caged, sent to bootcamp for six months, then two years enforced community service, 40 hours per week, cleaning toilets, real hard work.
Our politicians are responsible. They have denied our youth a future and deserve disgrace, condemnation and loss of office.
On Mark Duggan, he had a gun so he should have expected to be shot.
We desperately, desperately need leadership. Cameron falls so far short that it is embarrassing.
Britain Is Burning
The police are taking backhanders
Our MPs are fiddling their expenses
The media break the law without compunction
The bankers have looted our economy
Our politicians are sunning themselves in luxury
How do you expect young people to behave?
Appeal For Help – Did you attend Hyde Park 420?
There was an outbreak of violence in the early evening and the police are appealing for witnesses. We should do all that we can to help them.
DC Tony Esmond contacted me today and he is looking for witnesses to the violence to whom he can show some photographs of suspects. He is not interested in why you were in Hyde Park or anything to with cannabis. He wants to catch the thugs who inflicted serious injury on several people. I would count it as a personal favour from anyone who is prepared to do the right thing and step forward.
Contact DC Esmond on 020 7321 9315 or 020 7321 9364. Leave a message if he’s not there.
If you did witness the trouble then you should step forward. It is the right thing to do. Any society needs law and order and police to enforce it. Although we may use cannabis, we are still entitled to the protection of the law and we should support the police, particularly when violence is involved.
This is also an opportunity to demonstrate that we are reasonable, responsible and respectable citizens. Co-operating with the police over this strengthens our argument for the change in the law that we all want to see.
My understanding of what happened is that it was a perfect demonstration of why a regulated system for cannabis is a safer and more responsible approach. It was a turf war between two groups of dealers – the inevitable result of prohibition.
What is really ironic is that CLEAR had intended to organise an event in Hyde Park tomorrow, 7th May, to coincide with the international Million Marijuana March. We invested considerable time, effort and money in applying to the Royal Parks for permission. We agreed to pay a substantial bond, take out insurance, provide stewards at a ratio of 1:20 and undertake to clear up all litter. They didn’t actually deny us permission but they refused to allow us to use a stage or a PA – even though we pointed out that this would enhance public safety and order. Consequently we decided not to go ahead and instead we are running an event in Cardiff tomorrow where we have received constructive and positive co-operation from the authorities.
So the unofficial, unregulated and un-stewarded event at Hyde Park went ahead on 20th April with its own PA and look what happened. I left at around 5.30pm when the atmosphere was still peaceful but it was evident that a massive clean up operation was going to be needed. I hope that the Royal Parks will learn a lesson from this. I shall be writing to them pointing out what a foolish mistake they made.
So I urge you to contact DC Esmond if you have any information or if you witnessed any of the trouble. Now it should be obvious but If you go to the police station to look at photographs, don’t go there stinking of weed and check your pockets to make sure you aren’t carrying anything you shouldn’t be. You don’t want to put any of the officers or yourself in a difficult position!
(Yes, I did have a little chat with DC Esmond about cannabis. I sent him a copy of the medicinal cannabis leaflet and a link to the LEAP website. Well you’ve got to try, haven’t you!)
The Future Of Cannabis In Britain Is CLEAR
Last Thursday, 24th March 2011, the latest ballot of the membership of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance closed. By a two-thirds to one-third majority the members voted to adopt a new constitution and to change the party’s name. From that moment on we are known as Cannabis Law Reform or CLEAR.
We have moved away from the use of the word “legalise” because it is interpreted as meaning a free for all. It scares people, particularly politicians and the media and we, as a party, now understand that these are the people we need to influence if we are to advance our cause.
We have also refined and sharpened our aims and objectives. They are now simple, direct and clear:
- To end the prohibition of cannabis.
- To promote as a matter of urgency and compassion the prescription of medicinal cannabis by doctors.
- To introduce a system of regulation for the production and supply of cannabis based on facts and evidence.
- To encourage the production and use of industrial hemp.
- To educate and inform about the uses and benefits of cannabis.
Medicinal cannabis is our spearhead. We seek an end to prohibition for everyone but we demand immediate provision for those who need cannabis as medicine. It is an obscene and evil shame on our nation that so many who suffer are in fear of arrest and prison for using a medicine that transforms their lives.
We will build a new and effective brand and campaign. We are reasonable, responsible, respectable members of society from all walks of life and professions. We are discriminated against by an irrational and absurd policy. Cannabis is a wonderful thing. It is relatively harmless but it is a psychoactive substance and needs to be respected. It’s medicinal value is unparalleled but it also offers wonderful recreational, spiritual and creative nourishment. The relatively young science of cannabinoids now explains why cannabis has been treasured and used by mankind since the dawn of time. Prohibition is a ridiculous policy. The truth about cannabis is clear.
We intend to build a substantial membership. Annual subscriptions have been cut to £5.00 and for concessions £1.00. We ask everyone to make a payment of £10 towards campaign funding but money will not be an obstacle to anyone joining. Please show your support for our campaign and join CLEAR. Within the next few days we will launch a membership drive with the simplest way to sign up being payment by text message.
We will be fielding candidates in council and parliamentary elections all over the UK. We do not expect to win many seats but we intend our campaign to be given the respect and attention it deserves. We will seek electoral pacts with other parties who are prepared to sign up to our aims. If you would like to stand as a candidate, please get in touch. We also need voluntary workers all over the country.
We have exciting campaigns on the way that communicate the scientific truth about cannabis and demolish the scare stories and prejudice that is so widespread. We will never let another ridiculous tabloid story pass without challenging it. We will not allow our political leaders to get away with untruths and propaganda without calling them to account.
We will campaign for an end to the ludicrous waste of law enforcement resources on cannabis and for a regulated system of production that will exclude organised crime and the evils of violence and human trafficking that prohibition causes. We will educate users about cannabinoid content, different strains, varieties and methods of use. We will promote regulation to ensure quality, safety and restriction of sales to adults only.
We already have solid data that proves a tax and regulate regime in Britain would produce a net gain to the economy of at least £6 billion per annum, freeing up police to concentrate on real crime and massively reducing the harms caused by prohibition.
Despite the fact that most people in Britain have used cannabis to no ill effect and that between two and ten million people have it as a regular part of their lives, the cannabis campaign has failed to make any real progress. Now is when that changes. The future of cannabis in Britain is CLEAR.
We will release more details about our campaign in the near future.
The truth about cannabis is CLEAR.
Peter Reynolds 