Bash prevails – mlive.com
The Hash Bash survived Saturday, as its organizers say it always will.Pushed out of its traditional spot on the Diag by a University of Michigan student group called FOKUS, a modified 30-minute Hash Bash took place in what organizers of both parties said was in the spirit of getting along.
A crowd filled the U-M Diag on a sunny day with temperatures in the high 50s. The people crowded on steps, many expecting to hear speakers for the Hash Bash, a pro-marijuana rally held on campus since 1972.
What those on campus for the Hash Bash didn’t know was that the space – and public address system – had been reserved for FOKUS, which wanted to hold its annual block party on the Diag. The group compromised and allowed poet John Sinclair to speak.
A former Ann Arborite, Sinclair is best known for the marijuana conviction that led to a 1971 “Free John Sinclair” rally at U-M’s Crisler Arena. That rally featured the late John Lennon.
Campus police estimated 1,200 to 1,500 on the Diag. The News estimated the number at closer to 2,000.
Sinclair kicked off the impromptu Hash Bash at 12:20 p.m. and spoke for about 15 minutes.
“I like to get high,” Sinclair told the crowd. “I believe I have a right to get high.
“People want drugs,” he said to cheers. “They want to get high. … Because it’s all good.”
We spoke with Steve Bloom from CelebStoner.com on Friday who pointed out that it is a common tactic by our opponents to try to find some group that will reserve a traditional venue used by anti-prohibition groups, in order to disrupt our right to assemble peaceably and petition our government for a redress of grievances. We had a similar incident with our Portland Hempstalk last year here in the Rose City, but our event is only three years old. After 37 years, it stretches the limits of credibility to think there is a student group that is not aware that the first Saturday in April is the Hash Bash at the Diag. It would be like somebody trying to schedule a folk music festival at Times Square for the night of December 31st!
