Support. Don't punish Day of Action: 26 June 2013

On June 26th, groups of 100 or more campaign supporters will gather in key cities around the world for a coordinated 'day of action'. They will all be wearing Support. Don't Punish. t-shirts and Richard Nixon masks, and will pose for the media nearby key landmarks in each city. This high profile and visually symbolic 'action' will help raise awareness about the campaign messages and the need for drug policy reform around the world.

In London, the ‘action’ will be held at the Old Palace Yard. (Between Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament) at 11 a.m.

Why June 26th?

The 26th of June is the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a day for governments to 'celebrate' the war on drugs - some governments even executing drug offenders to mark the occasion. Paradoxically, that same day is also the United Nations' International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - and a recent UN human rights report has highlighted how the global denial of care to people who use drugs may fall under this category.

As such, the Support. Don't Punish. campaign aims to reclaim the 26th June to promote more humane and effective drug policies that prioritise the health and welfare of people who use drugs, and their families and communities.

Why Richard Nixon?

Some 40 years ago, US President Richard Nixon launched a 'war on drugs' and was the first high-profile politician to coin this phrase. This 'war' has since resulted in the global repression, incarceration, punishment of people who use drugs, and has been used to justify executions, extrajudicial killings, torture, forced treatments and the demonisation of this population. President Nixon's face is easily recognizable and, as such, will be visually impactful. The fact that the general public (and much of the media) might not associate President Nixon with the 'war on drugs' will also help to ensure interest in the campaign. Once the event has been realised, the photo captions in the press will place Nixon, the 'war on drugs' and the campaign in context.

Which Cities?

So far, the following cities have confirmed their participation. Please contact the individuals below for more information:

• Bangkok, Thailand: pascal@psithailand.org and idpcbkk@gmail.com
• Bournemouth, England: https://www.facebook.com/events/143880819134617/
• London, England: campaign@idpc.net and https://www.facebook.com/events/388699341241159/
• Budapest, Hungary: https://www.facebook.com/events/201567476663956
• Dodoma, Tanzania: genco.tanzania@medecinsdumonde.net
• Jakarta, Bandung, Medar, Makassar, Denpasar and Mataram, Indonesia: ardhany@rumahcemara.org
• Kiev, Ukraine: https://www.facebook.com/events/469056326503598/469088806500350
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: https://www.facebook.com/events/521493321220308
• Mexico City, Mexico: aram.barra@espolea.org
• Nairobi, Kenya: sayon@kanco.org
• Paris, France: http://a-f-r.org/agenda/soutenez-ne-punissez-pas
• Port Louis, Mauritius: nathalie.cut@myt.mu
• Tuzla, Mostar and Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina: https://www.facebook.com/events/291189897684974 /
• Ohrid, Macedonia: vlatkod@hops.org.mk
• Sevilla, Spain carmenmartinez@f-enlace.org y https://www.facebook.com/events/509281812472048
• Beirut, Libanon sandy@skoun.org and jsaab@sidc-lebanon.org
• Tbilsi, Georgia
• Delhi, India abhalla@allianceindia.org; fjoseph@allianceindia.org; horairk@gmail.com
• Moscow, Russia anyasarang@gmail.com
• Oslo, Norway: sally.soundless@gmail.com

For more information, please, visit.

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