By James MacKenzie
No one got out of control on Sunday afternoon at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park, and thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what the organizers for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) wanted.
The group invited the public to join them in having a beer to purposefully and openly violate drinking in public laws. The protest was to open up dialogue around public consumption and work towards having the laws changed.
In total, about 20 individuals cracked, twisted, or popped open their beer of choice while enjoying a picnic and playing a game of bocce ball. If it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for the banner hanging from a pair of trees and some matching CAMRA t-shirts, there was little to differentiate this protest from any other small gathering of people having a picnic at the beach.
B次元官网网址淚 think this is a good start,B次元官网网址� said CAMRA Victoria President Greg Garner while drinking a Fuggles and WarlockB次元官网网址檚 Pixel Pilsner. B次元官网网址淗ere we are, a small crowd, having a pretty good time and no one is doing anything inappropriate. I think it sends the message that responsible consumption in public spaces is very doable.B次元官网网址�
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According to the event organizers, drinking on the beach happens all the time, with participants listing various reasons for why they wanted to attend the protest.
B次元官网网址淚f weB次元官网网址檙e not hurting anyone, why canB次元官网网址檛 we have a beer,B次元官网网址� said Lisa Troy, who was drinking from a reusable cup.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sad that there are people shooting up on Pandora, but I canB次元官网网址檛 have a beer in the park with a friend while playing a game of bocce,B次元官网网址� said Charles Honsberger, who was playing the game with one hand and holding his beer with the other.
Although not everyone agrees that drinking at the beach is a good idea. A Facebook poll on our Greater Victoria pages revealed that while the majority of the 2,000 respondents think drinking responsibly at public beaches should be allowed, other people expressed concerned for the safety of children and doubt people will continue to be responsible after tipping back a few alcohilic beverages.
B次元官网网址淐an we please have one alcohol free zone to bring our children,B次元官网网址� commented one person. B次元官网网址淭he alcoholism rate is rising drastically so sure letB次元官网网址檚 just let people get drunk everywhere.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淣o, some people drink responsibly, until they donB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� another stated. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an invitation for someone to ruin it for the rest.B次元官网网址�
A third noted,B次元官网网址淚n our society it simply doesnB次元官网网址檛 work for all. Unfortunately there are many who think itB次元官网网址檚 an excuse to behave with ignorant aggression and disrespect.B次元官网网址�
Mark Rennie, CAMRA VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 treasurer, said he is aware of peopleB次元官网网址檚 concerns but feels they are mostly due to people being reluctant to change.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just here playing bocce, catching up with our club members, having a beer and I donB次元官网网址檛 think itB次元官网网址檚 that big of a deal,B次元官网网址� he said while drinking a Phillips Tiger Shark. B次元官网网址淎s much as this is a fun social thing today, this is just a start to the conversation and a demonstration that you can be responsible while having a drink at the beach.B次元官网网址�
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