Rallies Vie for U-M's Diag

SHOWDOWN APPEARS TO LOOM AS HASH BASH SHUT OUT OF SPACE

Hash Bash organizers and University of Michigan officials appear to
be headed for a showdown over their differing views of freedom of
speech as the annual pro-marijuana legalization event approaches April 6.

The controversy started when Hash Bash organizers learned the Diag
had already been reserved for the first Saturday in April by an
undisclosed student organization. For the past 36 years, the Hash
Bash has been held on the Diag.

U-M officials said the student group has secured the entire Diag for
the whole day, thereby preventing the Hash Bash from having its event
there. U-M won't disclose what organization reserved the space, but
U-M spokeswoman Linda Hancock Green said the student group reserved
it last fall.

"The policy and practice to register that space hasn't changed
significantly," Green said. "It's simple. It's first come, first
serve. When it's full, it's full."

Rich Birkett, a longtime Hash Bash organizer, said if the student
organization is legitimate, his group will respect their rally. But
Birkett said his group will still go to the Diag that day.

Birkett said he'll bring "amplified sound" to talk to people who come
for the Hash Bash, which has been held the first Saturday of April
for the past several years. Birkett said he has a FM transmitter,
portable boom boxes and mega-phones that will be used during breaks
or lulls in the competing event.

U-M Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said that
won't be allowed.

"They can't have a shouting match with each other," Brown said.

Brown said the only allowable permit for amplified sound went to the
other organization's event. She said police would use campus
"heckler" rules on anyone who disrupts the other event. Those rules
include a series of warnings given to disruptive people before the
heckler is eventually removed from the event.

"She's mistaken," Birkett said. "She doesn't understand the law. ...
I've been litigating this for 20 years. I know what I'm talking about."

Birkett said if anyone is arrested or equipment is seized, organizers
will file a lawsuit. He said there was some discussion of moving the
date of the Hash Bash, but that idea was rejected. U-M has graduation
ceremonies in May, and Hash Bash organizers want to hold their event
while students are still in town.

Adam Brook, the emcee of the Hash Bash for the past several years,
said he won't use any amplified sound. He said they tried that in the
past, but police said they would arrest him. So Brook said he'll just
stand on the steps of the graduate library and talk loudly to the crowd.

Brook said he didn't get a permit last year, and the Hash Bash went
on. He said it will continue in the future.

"These people will come anyway," Brook said.

Brook said John Sinclair, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in
1969 after giving two marijuana joints to an undercover police
officer, is expected to show up to speak at this year's Hash Bash.

"I haven't told him yet there is no P.A. system," Brook said. "I'm
embarrassed by that."