London, United Kingdom – 2014

Organisers: Release and the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

In London, Release and the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) held a large protest outside of the Houses of Parliament. More than 80 supporters gathered in front of a giant poster depicting the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, whose own calls for drug policy reform have disappeared since he came into power. To coincide with the protest, Release also sent an open letter to the Prime Minister signed by more than 80 high-profile figures and organisations – including Sir Richard Branson, Sting and Russell Brand.

Media coverage:

• BBC: Celebrities sign letter calling for drug law change
• BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 5: News features throughout the day – such as here after 58 minutes
• BBC Cambridge: Andie Harper’s Mid-Morning (starts at 38:00)
• BBC Radio Cumbria: Kevin Fernihough
• BBC Humberside: David Burns (starts at 9:00)
• BBC Kent: Julia George (from the start)
• BBC Scotland: Good Morning Scotland (starts at 2:40)
• BBC Solent: Julian Clegg (starts at 1:55)
• BBC Stoke: Stuart George and Charlotte Foster (starts at 1.45)
• City AM: Celebrities slam failed war on drugs in letter to David Cameron
• Contact Music: Russell Brand – Stars Demand Change To U.K. Drug Policies
• Digital Spy: Russell Brand and Sting call for drug law reform on global day of action
• Express: Stars demand change to drug policies
• Huffington Post UK: British Medical Association’s Decision To Reject Cannabis Legalisation Branded ‘Unscientific And Unethical’
• Huff Post Blog: On the International Day Against Drugs, Let’s Look Again at Sweden’s ‘Successful’ Drug Policies
• Independent: Poll: Legalise Drug Possession?
• LBC Radio: Call Clegg (starts at 21:30)
• Mirror: Russell Brand, Richard Branson and Sting call for drug possession to be decriminalised
• Telegraph: Should drug possession be legalised?
• Time for Hemp Radio: Hemp Works
• Courier: Drug laws shake-up call to Cameron
• Guardian: Decriminalise drug possession, campaigners tell David Cameron
• Huffington Post UK: Russell Brand Among 90 Celebrities And Politicians Calling For UK Drug Law Reform On Day Of Global Action
• Independent: Aids charities call for drug decriminalisation
• Independent: Russell Brand and Richard Branson write letter to David Cameron calling for drug possession to be decriminalised
• Law on the Web: Celebrities And Politicians Press Cameron For Drug Law Reforms
• London Evening Standard: Richard Branson: ‘War’ has failed — we need a new drugs strategy
• London Live: Drugs: Black and Asian, disproportionately targeted
• Politics.co.uk: Cameron told to honour his drug reform past