Hi Mark, Richard,

Over here the effect of our activity is such that UNGASS is never mentioned
without reference to 'protests in Amsterdam and around the world'. I really
wonder what we'll see the coming days.

Would it be a good suggestion to you to send out the press statement below,
or a similar one, through the same channels that were used to send out the
general press release earlier?

I'll advise other organisers to issue press releases as well.

Best wishes, and thanks for all you work, Harry.

P R E S S S T A T E M E N T 7/6/98 JUNE 5-10: ‘GLOBAL DAYS AGAINST THE DRUG
WAR’

THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN LARGEST EVER DEMONSTRATION FOR DRUG LAW REFORM IN
THE NETHERLANDS

8000 danced for drug peace at the Amsterdam Street Party against the Drug War

AMSTERDAM (June 7) - More than eight thousand proponents of drug policy
reform have participated in the Street Party against the Drug War in
Amsterdam on Saturday June 6th. The demonstration that started as a rally
at a square in the city center, grew into the largest manifestation for
legalization of drugs that has ever taken place in the Netherlands. Police
spokespersons estimated the number of participants at 7 to 8 thousand, well
before the street party had grown to its maximum size. Organisers think the
number reached 10.000 eventually.

At noon an initial group of some five hundred protesters gathered at the
Beursplein square. Reverend Hans Visser, a user support worker from
Rotterdam, well-known for the aid he provides to problematic drug users and
for his critical views of conventional drug policy, addressed the crowd,
denouncing the shameful situation that after all these years of failing
drug policy, politicians are still not prepared to use common sense.

At 1pm, the street party started moving, lead by a queue of fifteen large
decorated trucks packed with soundsystems, djs, and dancing people. During
the joyful journey through town the crowd grew into an exuberant parade,
with thousands dancing on thundering basses of house music of all styles.
While bystanders watched in amazement, traffic in the city center came to a
virtual standstill. After a three-hour tour through the center, the party
finally settled on a terrain near the old docks, where it reached its peak,
both in terms of size and loudness. The street party lasted until late in
the evening before the police asked the organisers to switch off the systems.

The Amsterdam street party was held in the context of the 'Global Days
against the Drug War', which take place Friday June 5th through Wednesday
10th. In 50 cities around the world, discussion forums, demonstrations,
seminars, press conferences, street parties, concerts, and other types of
events are held. A congress was held in Paris, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th,
with a demonstration at the Bastille on Sunday 7th. An event featuring
well-known speakers took place in San Francisco on the 6th, and
demonstrations will take place in New York and Moscow on Monday 8th.

This international event is supported by more than 100 organisations, that
have recently united to form the 'Global Coalition for Alternatives to the
Drug War', at the occasion of the United Nations Special Session of the
General Assembly on Drugs which starts this Monday in New York. These
organisations insist that it is of great importance that proposals for drug
policy reform are heard during the UN session. The coalition is issuing a
declaration that will be presented in New York at the Non-Governmental
Organisations conference that is part of the UN conference.

The Global Coalition for Alternatives to the Drug War currently consists of
more than 100 organisations. Among them are the Lindesmith Center West, de
National Organisation for Reform of Marijuana Laws, Coordinamento Radicale
Antiprohibizionista, the November Coalition, de Campaign for
Equity-Restorative Justice, de Transnational Radical Party, Common Sense
for Drug Policy, het Media Awareness Project, de American Society for
Action on Pain, de Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp,
Forum Droghe, de National Alliance of Methadone Advocates, Mothers against
Misuse and Abuse, Drug Reform Coordination Network, and many other
organisations.

The Global Days against the Drug War take place in Adelaide, Alsfeld,
Amsterdam, Arnsberg, Auckland, Austin, Bellingham, Berlin, Bilbao, Bonn,
Brussels, Christchurch, Colville, Dallas, Davenport, Dunedin, Eugene, Fort
Lauderdale, Hamburg, Hernani, Houston, Iruñea/Pamplona, Jena, London, Los
Angeles, Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Melbourne, Montreal, Moscow, Munich, New
Orleans, New York, Norwich, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Salt Lake City, San
Francisco, Schengen, Seattle, Sydney, Stockholm, Tallinn, Tel Aviv, Trier,
Tucson, Victoria, Vitoria/Gasteiz, Washington, Wellington en Winnipeg. The
declaration of the Global Coalition against the Drug War, information about
the coalition member organisations, about the events taking place, about
the UN panel, and contact information for the local events, is available
at: http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/globalcoalition/

For further information write to: alliance@legalize.org

P R E S S S T A T E M E N T 7/6/98 JUNE 5-10: `GLOBAL DAYS AGAINST THE
DRUG WAR'

Checked-by: Richard Lake