Cops up the Ante on Nimbin Mardi Grass

Media Release 28 April 2008

Cops up the Ante on Nimbin Mardi Grass

Police today informed the organisers of the Nimbin Mardi Grass that they will be making an application to close the Nimbin Museum and the Hemp Bar for 72 hours over Mardi Grass. 

"The police are using a piece of archaic legislation (Section 15C of the Restricted Premises Act 1943) to, in effect. close two of Nimbin's most significant tourist attractions during the busiest weekend of the year," said spokesperson for the Nimbin Mardi Grass Organising Group and Nimbin Museum, Michael Balderstone.

The application will go before a magistrate in the Lismore court on Friday morning.

Balderstone described the action as "antagonistic and provocative."

"The police keep assuring us they want a safe Mardi Grass," he said. "What's the closing of the Museum and the Hemp Bar during Mardi Grass got to do with safety?"  

"If one wanted a safe weekend in Nimbin, one would close the pub," he said.

"But it's another day in Nimbin and another day of Drug War harassment by the Lismore Area Command," said Balderstone.

"The public money being wasted by the local police trying to suppress Australia's second most popular tourism destination is as stupid as it is appalling," he said.

"Recent media debate about trial-ing some kind of legalised cannabis supply has clearly shown the north coast community of NSW, if not all of Australia, is ready for it," he said.

Further information

Michael Balderstone 02 6689 1848

Inspector Steve Clark 02 6626 0799

"Too many police and too little justice."