Cannabis advocates disappointed with smoke-in arrests

The group that held a "smoke-in" in Darwin's Raintree Park yesterday says it is disappointed the protest ended in five arrests.

Scott White, a member of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), says the smoke-in was to protest against plans to tighten Territory drug laws.

Territory police have confirmed five men will face charges, including hindering police and resisting arrest, with two also charged for cannabis offences.

But Mr White says NAP members may bring assault charges against police over the confrontation.

He says NAP will go ahead with plans to demonstrate outside Parliament House early next month when it believes the laws will be passed through Parliament.

"We don't want that to happen again, it hasn't deterred us, it's probably strengthened our resolve," he said.

"We're not happy with what happened yesterday and all we wanted to do was show an alternative view to what the Government's telling us what we should believe and that's all we wanted to do yesterday."

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 21st April 2002
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
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Copyright: 2002 Australian Broadcasting Corporation