13.8 C
Byron Shire
June 21, 2026
Letters

Vigil to support Chan and Sukumaran

By The Echo

Latest News

Local NewsThe Echo - 0

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.
Read more

Other News

The Good LifeThe Echo - 0

A rainforest table

If you’ve driven the stretch out to Suffolk Park, you may have passed it without quite knowing it was...
Read more
Entertainment NewsThe Echo - 0

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 17 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.
Read more
Local NewsAslan Shand - 0

Douglas Dickie retires after 51 years as firefighter

As the bagpipes let out their mournful melody approaching Wandana Brewing, Douglas Dickie was celebrated for his 51 years of service in fire brigades from Scotland to Australia.
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Investigation launched into assaults, torture of flotilla humanitarians

The Australian Labor government has committed to undertaking an independent investigation into the assaults, sexual assaults and torture of humanitarians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, according to a flotilla media spokesperson.
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Lismore shops enchanted for Lantern Parade

Winners of Lismore’s Enchanted Windows comp have been announced, with The Two Ravens taking top spot. The comp is part of the city's Lantern Parade, to be held this Saturday, 20 June.
Read more
Local NewsAslan Shand - 0

Byron Council budget up for discussion as rates rise looms

There is a potential 30 per cent or more rate rise in the wind for Byron Shire ratepayers by 2030. What’s needed is clear and concise budget documentation, accessible to your average ratepayer. It would seem the least Byron Shire Council (BSC) could provide in accordance with commitments to inform the community.
Read more

The Hemp Olympix and the Nimbin Hemp Embassy will be holding a ‘Joint Vigil’, Wednesday February 18 at Allsopp Park, Nimbin, from 3.33pm till 4.20pm to protest against the death sentence of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

We demand:

-Stop the killing

– Stop stupid police actions

– Stop the war on drugs

– Stop and heal the people

We invite anybody to come along, especially victims of the war on drugs and medicinal cannabis users and light a candle.

We will light the ‘Eternal Flame for the Victims of Prohibition’ and other items!

Chibo Mertineit, Hemp Olympix president

Previous articleRetired planner submits his vision for Byron Bay
Next articleByron Bay Cheese Company sold

For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Local News

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

The Echo - 0
A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.
Read more
Local News

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

The Echo - 0
Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.
Read more
Local News

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The Echo - 0
The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.
Read more
Local News

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

The Echo - 0
Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.
Read more

More Articles Like This

What is the future of hemp in NSW?

Local News Aslan Shand - 3
The future of hemp in NSW is currently up for discussion with the NSW government’s draft NSW Hemp Industry Development Plan now open for public comment.
Read more

Nimbin medicinal cannabis event, March 27

Local News The Echo - 0
Two experienced medical cannabis doctors and a retired magistrate who is passionate about changing the drug driving rules will take part in the MEDICAN gathering in Nimbin.
Read more

Nimbin MardiGrass 2021 planning gets underway

Local News Aslan Shand - 0
MardiGrass 2021 is going ahead and they are planning plenty of entertainment and activism from the joint rolling comp and HEMP Olympix to the Rally for Law Reform. These will be just some of the many fun activities, pointed campaigning, music, and speakers who will be part of the festival this year.
Read more

It’s legal to grow and distribute – but only by the anointed

Local News Aslan Shand - 4
Byron based medicinal cannabis producer is sending cannabis to Germany in a breakthrough $92m deal yet the humble plant remains illegal for locals and continues to put people behind bars.
Read more

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire