History of Release: 1970s
- 1970
- Release office trashed and burned by anonymous so-called White Panthers who steal all the files and demand that Release "is given to the people". Release calls their bluff and agrees. The "coup" evaporates into farce as "the people" fail to show. The files are returned and Release carries on.
Mick Jagger dedicates the world premier of his film 'Performance' to Release and Eric Clapton donates £4,000.
Caroline Coon, co-founder of Release
- 1971
- Misuse of Drugs Act passed which reduces the maximum penalty for cannabis possession to five years while increasing the penalty for supplying to fourteen years.
Oz prosecuted for obscenity over the school kids issue. Caroline Coon gives evidence for the Defence at the Old Bailey. The Oz three are imprisoned. "Flower Power" is being crushed. Hard times lie ahead. Coon leaves Release to continue her career and Release organises as a collective. - 1972
- The number of Cannabis users in the UK is estimated to be one million. Release advises on about one third of the cases which will reach court. Release moves to Elgin Ave.
- 1973
- Release publishes the Truckers Bible, a guide to drug laws, searches, arrests and sentencing pattern around the world. Tory MP Ronald Bell calls it "a guide to pot smuggling" while the Home Office and House of Commons orders extra copies.
- Paul McCartney and Wings plus Brinsley Schwartz headline a Release benefit concert at the Hard Rock Cafe. Release establishes the Foreign Arrests Unit.
- 1974
- Release's pregnancy, contraception and abortion services work overtime to cope with demands for help and campaigning activity following the Lane Committee report. Release decline an invitation to apply for Home Office Grant "for the time being" amidst growing financial crisis.
- Release at Knebworth along with Van Morrison and the Doobie Brothers. Mayhem at Windsor Great Park Free Festival as Thames Valley Police break records for searches, arrests and alleged assaults during a dawn raid to stop festival.
- Release complains to Home Secretary Roy Jenkins and calls for a public Enquiry.
- 1975
- Dutch Government outlines proposals for new drug legislation making clear distinction between trafficking and use. Alaska Supreme Court rules that citizens have a constitutional right to possess marihuana. Release at Knebworth with Pink Floyd, Captain Beefheart and Steve Miller. Release reports that Rizzla now only contain 50 skins from previous 75.
- Release receives its first Home Office grant and publishes "Truncheons in the Park", a report on the Windsor Free Festival. Government offers free festival site near abandoned airfield near Watchfield. Police undercover operation at Watchfield Free Festival leads to Operation Julie, largest ever investigation by UK police into LSD production and supply. Release specialist hotline on street drug purity cut off by GPO following News Of the World 'Junkie Hotline' condemnation.
- 1976
- Release active in supporting the burgeoning squatting campaign and publishes activists' handbook "Squatters and the Law" as well as "Diving Off the Deep End" a report on the sentencing of cannabis offenders in the UK.
- Release present at Olympia Music Festival with Status Quo, Bad Company, Procal Harem and Barclay James Harvest. Release starts to work "collectively". People's Free Festival moves from Watchfield to Stonehenge after government refuses to provide site for second year. Release continues to provide emergency service.
- 1977
- The Criminal Law Act brought in, giving government new powers to control squats and occupations. Festival season considered "a horror story of inadequate facilities, no organisation and endless barbiturate overdoses". Release publishes "Stop & Search" a report into the use of police powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act. 8 cwt of cannabis mysteriously disappears from Police drug store in Wapping, East London. First "Smokey Bears" Hyde Park smoke-in against cannabis laws results in 15 arrests.
- 1978
- Legalize Cannabis Campaign founded and NME bans the publication of LCC campaign advertisement. Film "Midnight Express" is released, bringing added support for Release's foreign arrest work. Release criticises London Drug Dependency consultants for restricting heroin and injectable drug prescribing and currently predicts massive increase in illicit heroin market. Release continues to deal with numerous cases of British prisoners in foreign jails including Turkey and Iran. Housing work increases particularly legal advice on squatting and illegal evictions. Release at Knebworth and Stonehenge festivals.
- 1979
- "Trouble with the Law", the Release Bust Book wins the Cobden Trust's annual prize for civil rights work. The law on magic mushrooms is thrown into confusion. Release helps found the National Council for the welfare of Prisoners Abroad- now known as Prisoners Abroad to tale over its Foreign Arrests work. Margaret Thatcher elected Prime Minister.
