Support. Don't Punish Global Day of Action 2017

26th June 2017 will be the 5th Day of Action organised so far. In 2013, 41 cities from around the world took part in the first ever Global Day of Action. In 2014, 100 cities around the world held a huge variety of different actions. In 2015, 160 cities joined forces to call for drug policy reform, and in 2016, activists in 125 cities participated.

Why 26th June?

26th June is the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – a day that on which many governments celebrate their contributions to the global ‘war on drugs’. In the past, some governments have even commemorated this day by holding public executions or beatings of drug offenders.

By taking part in the Global Day of Action, you can help to “reclaim” the message on this important day.

26th June is also the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – an ironic coincidence given the widespread torture and abuse suffered in the name of the war on drugs.

What can you do this year?

The aim for the Global Day of Action is to produce high-profile and visually symbolic local actions. It is your choice to decide what these actions are – and this decision depends on what is feasible and affordable, what works best in the local context, and what you think will have the greatest impact. The numbers involved can range from 10 or 20 people, to more than 100 people in some cities – and we hope that the examples from other cities can serve as inspiration as well. One of the greatest impacts that the campaign can have is through attracting positive media attention and raising awareness of the campaign issues. We recommend that local partners engage with the local media ahead of 26th June.

The only requirement we ask is that these actions are connected to the global campaign by using the SUPPORT. DON’T PUNISH logo. This could be on t-shirts, banners, posters, reports or other materials.

This allows us to tie together the local actions and to demonstrate that they are all part of a coordinated global effort. In many cities, you may also decide to use the Support. Don’t Punish logo alongside that of your organisation, your partners, and other campaigns.

If you are looking for inspiration about what to do, have a look at the actions that took place in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016!

What is the next step?

We are currently collecting information about who wants to organise an action in their city, where and with whom. If you are interested, please email us at campaign@idpc.net.

Click here to read the full article.

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