Episode 60 – Occupy Nimbin!

Experiential journalist Rak Razam hosts a provocative panel discussion from the 2012 Nimbin Mardi Grass on strategic responses to the War on Nature's ally, marijuana. In 1973, almost 40 years ago, the laconic Australian town of Nimbin was first "occupied" by the Aquarius Festival.

Twenty years later, in 1992, Bob Hopkins heralded the next "occupy" cycle with his one-man protest-surrender at Nimbin police station. Where are the politics of change in 2012 - locally, nationally and internationally? What has evolved, for the better or, the worse, over the last four decades? Is 2012 the beginning of a new wave of drug law reform activism? Is there anything to learn from the successes of other political/social movements that have also struggled for fairness and justice?

This special 2-hour panel is for organizations and individuals to share their plans, visions and information about their activities, as well as provide an opportunity for seeding synergies and alliances.

With PANELISTS:

  • Graham Askey [Help End Marijuana Prohibition Party],
  • Stephanie Barlow [Happy Herb Company],
  • Paul Cubitt [Law Enforcement Against Prohibition],
  • Mamakind [Cannabis Campaigner, Journalist and Author],
  • Annie Madden [Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League],
  • Steve McDonald [Psychedelic Research in Science & Medicine],
  • Moose [Cannabis Campaigner],
  • Jim Moylan [Civil Liberties Observer Group],
  • Matt Riley [Independent Activist],
  • Ann Symonds [Founder, Australian Parliamentary Group on Drug Law Reform]
  • Dr. Alex Wodak [Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation].

Originally aired on: Jun 10, 2012