Bottle throwing, attorney general and techno – now Pusher Street is being rebuilt

The pusher street in Danish Christiania is to be rebuilt after crime.

The Danes have held a closing party and now the Minister of Justice is there to talk to the residents.

– This is a historic moment, says Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard in Danish BT.

On Pusher Street in the Christiania district, central Copenhagen, people have been openly trading cannabis for several years.

In Denmark, it is illegal to use cannabis, but has been socially acceptable in the area. Instead of arresting users, the police have over the years targeted the sellers, who sell from simpler “hash booths”.

But in March, the decision came from those who live in the partially self-governing Christiania – the street will get a facelift. And for that, it is required that the long line be torn up and remain closed for a year.

Characterized by crime

The decision comes after the street was marked by crime. Last year, a person was shot dead in the midst of the tourists that Christiania usually teems with.

The police have previously said that 13-year-olds sell drugs in the district.

At the same time, the state wants to build rental complexes in the district.

– Pusher Street has developed into something that does not match Christiania’s values ​​at all, says Christianite Ronja Dalitz to TT.

Christiania emerged as a kind of sanctuary during the early 70s, where it had its own laws that only prohibit, among other things, weapons, heavy drugs and prostitution. Opinions about the neighborhood differ, with some saying it’s only a place for drug users, while others say it’s a haven.

Minister in place

Now the construction workers have made their first sod. As a thank you to Pusher Street, the Danes organized a techno party there, which ran from Friday night to Saturday morning.

– Those who held the party were busy all night, says Simon Hansen to Ritzau.

The party was interrupted when daylight broke.

– But there was one person who didn’t understand that the party was over, so we saw a bottle being thrown.

The person has been arrested and charged.

Denmark’s Minister of Justice, Peter Humlegaard, and Copenhagen’s mayor, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, are present. It reports Danish BT. They are there to talk to, they clean and eat breakfast: sandwich with vegan cheese and peppers.

The drug trade can be moved

It is still unclear what Pusher Street will look like in the future. In a previous proposal, residents have included, among other things, containers for small business owners and creative workshops.

The Copenhagen police are aware that the drug trade can be moved to other parts of the city when the street is torn up.

– We are ready for a shift to take place and that there are some who will try to sell around Christiania and nearby, says Simon Hansen to BT