Full steam ahead for the 1st International Darwin Syringe Festival

Mayor banned from events

It will be full steam ahead for the 1st International Darwin Syringe Festival this week.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am to 1pm the Smith Street Mall will be host to the Syringe Art Exhibition showcasing works from local and interstate artists.

Thursday night there will be an all night movie marathon and pajama party at the student lounge at NTU's Casuarina campus. Featuring cult classics "Dogs in Space", "Drug Store Cowboy" and more.

Friday night will be the first NAP Doof/Dance Party,The Eckie Bang-in Microdot Explosion. The venue details can be obtained by contacting 0415 16 2525 after 10pm on the night.

Saturday will see the 4th "Smoke-up for Human Rights" at 12noon in Raintree Park. Local bands, free tucker, speakers, face-painting, crowning of the N.A.P needle Queen and the syringe Olympics,something for all the family.

The 1st International Darwin Syringe Festival is a 12 day demonstration against the nazi-like "drug house" legislation that has recently passed through the parliament in the Northern Territory.

Lord Mayor Peter Adamson has told ABC Radio that the Festival will be boring. NAP spokesperson Nicolette Naxalite said "Mr Adamson and his associates are actually banned from the Festival and a security plan is in place to keep him away from the events."

"Mr Adamson may appeal the ban, but the appeals process is expected to take some time and may not be completed before the end of the festival, however should his position change, he will be more than welcome to participate in next year's Syringe Festival."

Event organisers are hoping that the Festival will become an annual event, and in 2003 NAP hope to hold a conference against the "War on Drugs" as part of the program. The conference is expected to attract human rights and drug user activists from around the globe.

For more info call 0415 16 2525 or see:

http://napnt.tripod.com/pages/Syringe-Festival.a.htm