cannabisnews.com: Bash Prevails





Bash Prevails
Posted by CN Staff on April 06, 2008 at 04:57:35 PT
By Tom Gantert
Source: Ann Arbor News
Michigan -- The Hash Bash survived Saturday, as its organizers say it always will. Pushed out of its traditional spot on the Diag by a University of Michigan student group called FOKUS, a modified 30-minute Hash Bash took place in what organizers of both parties said was in the spirit of getting along.
A crowd filled the U-M Diag on a sunny day with temperatures in the high 50s. The people crowded on steps, many expecting to hear speakers for the Hash Bash, a pro-marijuana rally held on campus since 1972. What those on campus for the Hash Bash didn't know was that the space - and public address system - had been reserved for FOKUS, which wanted to hold its annual block party on the Diag. Alma Davila-Toro, co-founder of FOKUS - or Fighting Obstacles Knowing Ultimate Success, said she found a compromise. She spoke with poet John Sinclair, the Hash Bash speaker, and FOKUS concluded that allotting him time was consistent with the group's goal of connecting U-M students with art and music. A former Ann Arborite, Sinclair is best known for the marijuana conviction that led to a 1971 "Free John Sinclair'' rally at U-M's Crisler Arena. That rally featured the late John Lennon. About 15 minutes before the traditional noon kickoff for the Hash Bash, many in the crowd were unsure of what was happening. "Did they know the Hash Bash was this day?'' asked Chris Taylor of Ann Arbor. "They must have known about it? How could you not know? We only need one hour.'' Kelly Johnson of Ecorse was of the opinion that all those in the crowd came to see the Hash Bash, not the FOKUS event.  Snipped   Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/4vpam4Source: Ann Arbor News (MI)Author: Tom GantertPublished: Sunday, April 06, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Ann Arbor NewsContact: http://tinyurl.com/4p77baWebsite: http://www.mlive.com/annarbornews/Related Articles & Web Site:Michigan NORMLhttp://www.minorml.org/ Our Half-Baked Drug Policieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23805.shtmlGrowing a Pot Movementhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23804.shtmlHash Bash Might Not Be Able To Secure Diaghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23789.shtml 
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Comment #8 posted by BUDSNAXZ on April 06, 2008 at 17:02:39 PT
fight_4_freedom
AMEN!!!
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Comment #7 posted by fight_4_freedom on April 06, 2008 at 16:36:18 PT:
Budsnax
The U of M students now know better and will have next year taken care of ASAP. Hash Bash will be back in it's NORML form next year.
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Comment #6 posted by BUDSNAXZ on April 06, 2008 at 16:13:08 PT
John Sinclair
I'm glad it worked out well for everyone. I would hope now that John Sinclair will go immediately to reserve the spot for next year to preclude the Hash Bash from being pushed out of its traditional spot again. I wonder if he reads here or if someone who does would pass this message on to him?Peace AllMac
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Comment #5 posted by fight_4_freedom on April 06, 2008 at 12:29:13 PT:
FoM
You're welcome. And enjoy :)I'm sure there will be more videos to come.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 06, 2008 at 12:18:21 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Thank you. I am watching it now!
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Comment #3 posted by fight_4_freedom on April 06, 2008 at 12:08:59 PT:
FoM- Thanks and I will 
Yesterday was simply amazing. It was by far the biggest turnout I've seen in my four years of attending this event. It was really like the first day of spring weather-wise, so that was nice as well. Everyone came out. People of all ages and races. Cannabis consumers of all kinds celebrating in unison on a bright, sunny day. What a great feeling it was. The positive vibes were felt throughout the day. Nothing could bring us down.And with no arrests on campus, it seems the cops just let us be. At one point I watched an officer come up to a couple of guys that were toking on the U of M property, and he politely told them to move 10 feet forward so they were on city property where they were pretty much allowed to smoke.It was also really encouraging to hear John Sinclair and the other speakers preach the cannabis gospel. So I certainly enjoyed my time at Hash Bash 08'!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rnitp1440M
Opening Speakers part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ksfj722eI
John Sinclair Part 2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHoqV4SAXyw
Random 2 minute footage
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 06, 2008 at 07:52:07 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Keep up the good work! I hope you had a great day yesterday.
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on April 06, 2008 at 07:36:23 PT:
Finally, a LTE of mine was published today.
Medical marijuanaVoice: Adam Krause, Bay CityLooks like voters here in Michigan will get a chance to voice their opinions on this issue next November, thanks to some amazing activists. Thank you to everybody who has helped out in this campaign. I sure hope the voters take advantage of this golden opportunity to help others and vote with compassion and common sense this coming fall.If you have ever been close to someone with a terminal illness or someone who is constantly in excruciating pain, you know how tough it is for them to function and live life normally. Sometimes, the medicine prescribed to them helps, other times it doesn't. But when a seriously ill person finally finds a medication that works for them, they should feel encouraged, not fearful of arrest. complete letterhttp://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1207476909299440.xml&coll=4The only beef I have with them is that they left out a comma where it needed to be in one of the last sentences. And I just checked the letter that I sent to them and I had it right. 
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