Dear Colleague

The Network Against Prohibition (Northern Territory, Australia Chapter) was established in Darwin this year.

NAP NT is a broad network of drug users and concerned community members who have banded together to fight the war on drugs in our local area.

NAP NT has a focus on drug law reform and on ending the zero tolerance policing approach that is severely impacting on the local drug user community, the longgrass community and local young people, in particular indigenous young people.

NAP NT was formed after a rally held in early March to attempt to combat proposed changes to drug laws in the Northern Territory, combined with a major police offensive on drug users and drug dealers. Police have commenced their zero tolerance offensive early, and have developed a special squad including Drug Enforcement Officers and Officers of the paramilitary Territory Response Group.

In response to this attack on the human rights of drug users, NAP NT activists have conducted a number of actions in conjunction with supporting groups. These actions included a demonstration outside the Justice Department, at which 5 demonstrators were arrested and charged with a range of charges including causing substantial annoyance and failing to cease to loiter.

As a follow on to this action, four NAP NT activists handed themselves into the Darwin Local Police Station with statutory declarations stating that they had self-administered a dangerous drug, namely Cannabis. The activists are still under investigation for this offence.

On Saturday the 20th of April, over 150 people gathered in Darwin's Raintree Park to smoke what was touted as Australia's biggest joint and to listen to live music, have a barbecue, facepainting for the children etc. For evidence of the brutal attack by NT Police on this peaceful demonstration see: http://napnt.tripod.com/pages/Articles_1.htm

Six people were arrested at this demonstration and were again charged with a number of offences including hindering police and possession of Cannabis. I received the delightful charge of Assaulting Police Officers - as I was dragged 20 metres, bleeding, to a police van!

A number of other activists were injured. The purpose of this email is to request your support for NAP's campaign, in particular for the legal defence of the activists involved. As most of the charges (with the exception of Assault Police) are only finable offences, it looks like many of the activists will not receive government support - legal aid - for their defence.

This means we will have to defend ourselves for the charges. This will cost us a lot of money. For example, we need to subpoeana evidence from ABC TV, Channel 8 and the local newspaper, this will cost $300 Australian. If we lose and we want to appeal, it will cost us $800 Australian each. If we want to call witnesses - and we need to, this will also cost us money.

We are hoping that you or your organisation may be able to assist by making a donation to our NAP NT Legal Defence Fund. If you are not in a position to make a donation, you may choose to send an email to our Chief Minister Clare Martin at clare.martin@nt.gov.au please send a copy to us at napnt@eudoramail.com

Our bank account details are as follows: For international donors- Bank: Australian Central Credit Union International code and account number: 085121 018052781 805050 Reference: 51805922 Network Against Prohibition NT Bank Address: 70 Light Square, Adelaide, SA For Australian donors- Bank: Australian Central Credit Union BSB Number 085121 Account no: 61716566 Account name: Network Against Prohibition NT Bank Address: 70 Light Square, Adelaide, SA

For further info about NAP NT visit: http://www.napnt.org or email us at: napnt@yahoo.com

For info about organisations supporting us visit: Longgrasser Association http://longgrass.tripod.com/

PARIAH - People Against Racism in Aboriginal Homelands http://www.country-liberal-party.com/

For info about drug issues in Australia's Northern Territory visit: http://www.tuf.org.au

Thank you for your support!

Gary Meyerhoff Member - NAP NT PS - Darwin and Territory locals can join the drug users' embassy at Bennett Park, outside Parliament House from the 1st of May until the 8th of May when we will have a major rally outside Parliament House.

PPS - Thankyou to everyone who has provided support to the campaign - including those who have written letters or emails, the NTU Student's Union, PARIAH, the Longgrass Association and the Darwin M1 Collective, and those we can't name -- Thank you !