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Colin Davies, founder of the Dutch Experience - Britain's first cannabis coffeeshop has been arrested again

Editors contact:
Nol van Schaik,
0031651852545
www.dutchexperience.org
www.globalhempmuseum.nl

3rd July 2002

PRESS RELEASE:

Colin Davies back to Strangeways prison after his day in Court.

Colin Davies was arrested last Monday, July st, for being in his flat, for a good reason, he was just injected with a strong painkiller, that enabled him to travel to his exile destination, Todmorden. He had some cannabis about, of course, to be able to serve the 100+ people that rely on him to supply them with it, all of them suffering from serious sickness or constant pain, like himself.

He was not allowed in or near his home, according to strange bail restrictions, activated on the day of his release, May 17 2002.

He was released on bail, for breaking bail, the statements of Colins parents and the doctor that injected him in the hospital, were taken into consideration by the Magistrates, who decided to release Colin on the same bail restrictions. In stead of being able to walk out a free man again, he was arrested in the Courthouse, and locked up again, this time accused with possessing cannabis in his flat. Two protesters were also arrested by the a Riot squad, consisting of 20 Police Officers, one of them, a woman on crutches, was slammed against the wall in the process, for standing up for her husband, who was arrested, for criminal damage, he was leaning against a police van.

The protesters and a Dutch friend of Colins, who was arrested during the raid on Colins flat on Monday, were all released after being bailed. Colin was tucked away in one of the cells of the Stockport Police Station, the GMP even told Chris Hinett, Colins solicitor, they could lock him up next to Colin, if he kept on 'harassing' the Police, when he protested about the second arrest for the same case.

Colin asked for his doctor today, or for the doctor that treated him last Sunday, but the hospital doctor told the police that the shot from Sunday would do the job today !!

Eventually, a doctor was called in from Preston, who gave Colin another shot to make him able to cope with the pain, so he could be taken to the Courtroom.

Colin Davies will be remanded in Strangeways again, for the possession of cannabis.
His appearance today, in Stockports Magistrates Court, was an outrageous display of misuse of power by the GMP, as they dragged Colin into the

courtroom, and kicked and beat him in the accused-box. This caused an uproar in the courtroom, Colins sister and parents were in tears, and begged to release Colin, who was not able to walk by himself, and crying from pain.

At least ten people witnessed how the PC's manhandled Colin, who they accuse of simulative behaviour, hard to believe from a man who's spine is broken in 5 places.

The available riot squad was all over the courthouse, to try and maintain the order, as protesters were shouting outside the Magistrates court, demanding Colins release.

One of the protesters went to the Police, to file a complaint against the way Colin was treated in the box, but he can only do so, after Colin officially filed a complaint.

Coiln will be taken to Strangeways prison now, probably the hospital ward, and will return to the Stockport Court on Friday, to apply for bail again.

His visit to Court will surely be accompanied by a major protest on Colins behalf, the message will be spread through all cannabis activist sites and clubs in the UK.

It is hard to believe that the UK can go about with people like Colin as they do, for cannabis, a substance that will be considered acceptable by Law soon. As the UK is switching to a more realistic and relaxed approach towards cannabis and its users, and we are just one week away from the effective declassification of cannabis, Colin is being picked on by the GMP as never before.

The GMP are way out of line with the upcoming reclassification, and even more out of line in how they go about with sick suspects, especially for a non-offensive crime without any victims.

The press is completely focussed on the Lambeth experiment, but they have to realise that the battle for the right to buy and smoke cannabis, is going on in Stockport, and there seem to be no rules involved.

The GMP is trying to get even with a man that has dared to resist them, by making his life into a hell, just because they can't accept that the Dutch Experience, Colins initiative, is still open every day, and the activism around the place is ongoing and getting stronger.

Colin Davies is the only victim in this ongoing confrontation, unless the GMP can point me another one.

The UK government should call off their bloodhounds now, the hunting season for cannabis users is about to be closed, in the entire country.

Maybe Tony, the top dog, as seen on MTV, can get in touch with them ?

End