The MardiGrass celebration in the New South Wales town of Nimbin has now been going on since 1993. It started out as a peaceful demonstration against police; Nimbin locals were tired of being hassled and arrested for smoking marijuana, and decided to protest against the laws of prohibition. This year's festival proved to be one of the biggest, with a record number of people...and police.
Police Involvement
Although police have always been aware of what goes on during the weekend celebration, 2009 proved to be the year for law enforcement to take over this peaceful gathering. Police on horses, on foot, and in patrol cars were overwhelming the already overcrowded main street, Cullen St. A huge marked bus was parked outside the police station, serving as a fearful reminder for everyone who walked by with plans of smoking marijuana.
Although many of the party-goers were disappointed by the large police presence, the organisers, MardiGrass Organising Body (MOB), seemed grateful. As quoted from the official website (www.nimbinmardigrass.com), MOB wanted to "thank the NSW police for making us politically relevant again, and raising our numbers with their big budget show."
With the police walking up and down Cullen Street all weekend, plus the road-blocks and searches, people weren't feeling too happy or free. Carli, a Brisbane local who has come to MardiGrass the past four years says, "I have never seen so many cops here. They're ruining everything just with their presence. Even if they're not doing anything, their being here is spoiling the fun." Many people seconded her opinion, and many left only a few hours after arriving.
Drugs
Although finding marijuana in Nimbin is ordinarily easier than finding beer, this MardiGrass proved it can't always be so easy. The point of MardiGrass is for people to be able to use weed without fearing the police or the laws. "Normally there are joints being thrown to you from the crowd, especially during the parade. This year is completely dry," says Carli.
Every other year, there have been some police raids before the festival; an attempt on their end to clean up the town before the hundreds of visitors spill onto the small streets. This year there were no major busts, although many locals, believed to be dealers by the police, were given a 'warning' or arrested.
Visitors are usually asked if they want to buy pot as soon as they step foot in Nimbin, but this year's MardiGrass showed a warped image of Nimbin's usually relaxed style. This year, no one was willing to sell. Locals didn't even want to be seen talking to visitors on the CCTV cameras placed all over Cullen St. a few years back. Most visitors were moody and upset about not finding weed, the one thing that is inherently promised when talking about Nimbin, and especially MardiGrass.
According to the official MOB reports, there were road-blocks (even on the following Monday) on the roads connecting Nimbin to the larger cities around it. And the Doof (a type of rave held outside Nimbin every MardiGrass) was on shaky ground even the night before, due to rumours of police planning on a huge raid there, as well. Reports say the doof went well, but the paranoia caused by the police's threats was much greater than that caused by the marijuana.
Peace Camp and Activities
Most of the big activities were happening at the Peace Camp. With prices ranging from AUD$10-50, passes could be bought and ticket holders could witness, and take part of, many unconventional competitions. These competitions are called the Hemp Olympix. There was a joint-rolling competition, a bong-throwing competition, and another where participants had to accurately fill a small bag with an ounce of 'vegetable matter' without scales.
The parade was the main event on Sunday, as the march goes through Cullen St. and into the Peace Camp. All of Nimbin's friends, and marijuana advocates, take part in this march, whether it be by watching it from the sidelines of being in it. This year there were no joints being thrown into the crowd.
The Hemp Bar and Hemp Embassy are usually big tourist destinations, as well as the Nimbin Museum, but after a recent raid, the Hemp Bar is looking unlike its old self. The bar itself was taken out, leaving the space empty and bland. The Museum still gets a lot of traffic, as it exposes not only art but information on everything related to cannabis growing and laws.
Accommodation
Camping was included in some of the packages, but most people found their own campsites or backpacker hotels.
Progress and Prohibition
Even though many campers weren't very happy, as MOB said, the police gave this year's celebration much needed media attention. The cause for the march was much more widely publicised than the drug use at the venue.
To read more about Nimbin, click here.
 |
 |
