Copenhagen, Denmark (AP) — In a bold move, the aging hippies who seized control of a dilapidated naval base in Copenhagen more than five decades ago and transformed it into the bohemian enclave known as Christiania are now taking a stand against the criminal elements that have long dominated the community's lucrative hashish market.
Their plan? To dismantle the cobblestoned street, Pusher Street, where the drug is openly traded, in an effort to rid Christiania of illegal drug sales once and for all.
Despite numerous previous attempts to curb the illicit hashish trade, which have often resulted in violent clashes between criminal gangs and police, the trade has persisted, with transactions quickly resuming.
This Saturday, residents will begin the process of tearing up Pusher Street, using government funds earmarked for the area's renovation.
Mette Prag, coordinator of a new public housing project in Christiania, stated that the goal is to create "a new Christiania without the criminal hashish market."
Hulda Mader, a 40-year resident, expressed the community's desire to rid itself of gangsters, noting that while some hashish sales may continue, they will no longer be conducted openly.
The renovation plan includes laying new water pipes and pavement after removing the cobblestones. This initial step is part of a broader strategy to integrate Christiania into the Danish capital while preserving its spirit of creativity and communal living.
Danish authorities have long sought to shut down Christiania due to the open sale of hashish, among other issues.
Initially established by squatters as a neighborhood dedicated to flower-power ideals, Christiania has faced tension with the authorities over the years.
Despite challenges, residents, known as Christianites, eventually gained the right to use the land but not to own it.
In 2011, after decades of conflict, the state sold the enclave to a foundation owned by its inhabitants. Today, Christiania is home to nearly 800 adults and around 200 children.
In recent years, the community has become a major tourist attraction, drawing both locals and foreigners.
While some visit to witness the openly illegal hashish trade, others come to enjoy the unique atmosphere, characterized by psychedelic-colored buildings and a relaxed lifestyle.
In response to escalating drug-related tensions, residents decided to take action, recognizing that eliminating organized hashish sales was crucial to receiving government funding for renovation.
By inviting the public to help dismantle Pusher Street, Christiania hopes to permanently end the illicit trade and maintain its status as a legal, alternative part of Copenhagen.
Mader humorously suggested that visitors could take home a cobblestone from Pusher Street as a souvenir, highlighting the community's determination to reclaim its streets from criminal elements.