NORML NZ Press Statement for Immediate Release: 24/04/2014
Citizens denied access to public space by Hamilton City Council to celebrate Hamilton J Day
The Hamilton branch of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws’ request to use the Hamilton Lake
Domain Stage to hold its annual J Day gathering in Hamilton has been denied by the Hamilton City Council. The Council is
claiming the event violates the Hamilton City Smoke-Free Environment Policy.
This event is primarily a political protest, involving activists, supporters, musicians, political party candidates and
other speakers, but it is also a rare opportunity for the community to come together and discuss evidence based health
and justice policies and to connect with others in their community that share their views.
"None of the event information provided to the Council by NORML, or any of NORML’s materials promoting this event, make
any mention of an intention to violate a smoking prohibition, and we made it clear that we had offered to help with
extra Council signage and include constant announcements to remind attendees that the Council has a smoking prohibition
in all City parks to be fully in compliance with their smoke free policy," said event organiser and Hamilton NORML
member Gary Chiles.
NORML has said that it considers the action of the Council to be a direct violation of the organisation and its
supporters’ democratic rights to gather and protest against the injustice of New Zealand’s cannabis prohibition, and
also an unreasonable assumption on the part of the Council that an event clearly promoted as a law reform protest is
promoting behaviour inconsistent with their smoke-free policy.
NORML invites all Hamilton supporters of cannabis law reform to gather peacefully to celebrate J Day at the Lake Domain
Stage Saturday 3rd May at 12:00 as planned.
We have a democratic right to protest and a right to freedom of speech under the Bill of Rights Act, and we have every
intention of exercising those rights.
ENDS