11. September Updates
On 11. September 2021, the Alliance for Rights-Oriented Drug Policies (AROD) held a cannabis sale for human rights at the main police station in Oslo. Posts one and two on this blog elaborate on the reason for the civil disobedience campaign; ARODs press release provides essential information, and here we offer a brief summary of proceedings.
Civil Disobedience Synopsis
As it stands the AROD is tremendously pleased with the events of 11. September. In the run up to the occasion we had opinion pieces in the Norwegian media, inviting the police to cooperate and discussing how civil disobedience could protect the rule of law. Internationally, Paul Stanford did an interview for Cannabis Common Sense, Heather Allman of the Karma Koala podcast did another interview, and the Cannabis Law Report spread the word. The Norwegian police were informed in advance. In response to a letter, the AROD was allowed to set up shop between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and the police provided a wonderful opportunity to get the message out.
We are awaiting a response from the Director of Public Prosecutions to another letter. This correspondence proposes a way forward that will result in a human rights analysis and due protection for the persecuted groups, and we shall soon find out if the Director supports the rule of law.
In the meantime, this most important letter to the Norwegian Police describes the merits of the AROD civil disobedience case and the connection to the articles of the ECHR. On this foundation we will build our case in the courts, and the length of our witness list will depend on whether the state rejects our argument. To the extent our contentions are rejected, we will call several ministers to testify, and they will have to answer basic questions relating to human rights and drug policy.
We are eagerly awaiting trial, and these articles and videos expand on the events of that day:
For Norwegian readers, Dagbladet and Avisa Oslo did some great reporting.
The latter was translated by Popular Hemp, and also Cannabis Culture did a great job boosting the AROD campaign. Footage of the events can be found in the links, and here:
Video of the events leading up to the arrest of Roar Mikalsen, the leader of the AROD:
The events of 11. September 2021, immortalised by photographer Simen Kjellin:
