Angel >> The Global Coalition for Alternatives to the War on Drugs (GCAWD) In the United States, the "war on drugs" has become an excuse for a police state: lax search and seizure requirements, combined with severe penalties for even minimal possession, mean U.S. cops can lock up just about anybody. In Canada, we're only slightly more enlightened: a bevy of government commissions and court cases have recommended the legalization of pot, yet legislators refuse to act. Now the United Nations is gearing up to tighten global drug laws. So the GCAWD is fighting back with demonstrations in 58 cities worldwide. Montreal's demonstration will take place this Sunday, June 7 at 4 p.m. in Dominion Square--at the cenotaph, no less, to commemorate the victims of the war on drugs. Info: 845-4993.

Insect >> MUC police officers with personal vendettas While he was videotaping the mass arrests at the anti-MAI demo last week, anarchist activist Alexandre Popovic was singled out and arrested by cops on a number of charges, including violation of bail conditions, public noisiness and interfering with a police officer's work. Police put Popovic in jail for three days but wanted to keep him longer, arguing he stay there until his trial, potentially weeks or even months away. They attempted to persuade prosecutors that he was a menace to society, and Popovic claims he was called a dirty pain in the ass ("hostie de sale baveux"). Members of Citizens Opposed to Police Brutality, to which Popovic belongs, have long stated that their members are unfairly targeted by the police for scrutiny.