The 5th Annual Smokey Bears Picnic was held in Portsmouth on Sunday 16th August.
This review of the day was written by Alun of CLCIA, with further contributions
from Derrick. They were originally published on the UKCIA mailing list.
Also we have the report from the local paper, and the review
of last years picnic
| THE
5th ANNUAL SMOKEY BEARS PICNICSUNDAY
16th AUGUST 1998, SOUTHSEA COMMON, PORTSMOUTH
Alun: Somewhere around a thousand
or more Smokey Bears and their supporters gathered on Southsea Common on Sunday
afternoon, along with a considerable police presence.
We had arrived in Southsea quite early and checked out the common about 11 am.
There were a number of police vehicles, a mobile detention unit, and scattered
bobbies around the common.
Just after 2 pm one section of the common began to fill with campaigners. From
a distance it did not look like many, but as we approached the crowd looked considerable.
By this stage we had heard that there had already been several arrests and searches,
mostly from amongst the younger people, a few confiscations of small amounts of
herb. There had also been the arrest of a man for flying his kite on the common;
although several other people were also flying kites police had explained to him
that his kite, in the shape of a cannabis leaf, could be seen to be advertising
an illegal event; the police said that people were allowed to gather for picnic
but permission was needed for an event which had not been applied for, and anything
which made the picnic look like an event, such as banners or leaflets or stalls,
would force them to act under the local by-laws. Hence the absence of banners,
although the small group of CLCIA from Wales were proudly flying the Welsh Dragon.
The afternoon was really
hot and sunny, the atmosphere relaxed throughout. It was an excellent chance for
a few of us to meet up for the first time.
What really struck me was the COST of the policing of the non-event. I reckon
there were probably 200 police [ed: Martin who wrote last
years review reckons it was 70 max.] some we spoke to had come from Southampton
and even Guildford, almost as far afield as the Bears! remembering that this was
a Sunday so all the cops were being paid triple rate (I think), the bill must
have approached £50,000!
Fifty grand to police a peaceful picnic? Cause for a letter or two.
To me that cost and the low arrest figures adds to the success of the day. Seems
to me that all one has to do is advertise a 'non-event' in a local park, spread
the word that about a thousand people are expected, then sit back and let the
old bill do their jobs. We don't need huge crowds, banners or flags, every time
at every event. Just call it a Smokey Bears picnic and the police will do the
rest! Derrick:
Unfortunately we made it late to SBP, arriving late afternoon. The picnic was
still in full swing when we arrived, with many groups of relaxed, happy tokers
enjoying the afternoon sun. It seemed that Vondel Park, Amsterdam had been transported
to Pompey for the day. The atmosphere was so relaxed and peaceful. By this time
police presence was light, and there was no oppressive atmosphere caused by them,
although there were reports of people being searched as they were arriving or
leaving the common. Typical low life tactics, waiting till you're on your own,
before they do their dirty work. By the way, the Pompey News failed to mention
the seventh arrest. Has the kite been released yet? Did it get a caution? FREE
THE KITE! |
