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more than a quarter of the world's prison inmates) that a society must make
the choice: Allow for alternative lifestyles...or build more prisons.
Even since its inception, Christiania has been a political hot potato. No one
in the Danish establishment wanted it. And no one had the nerve to mash it. In
the last decade, Christiania has connected better with the rest of society—such
as paying for its utilities and taxes. But when Denmark's conservative govern-
ment took over in 2001, they vowed to “normalize” Christiania (with pressure
from the US), and in recent years police have regularly conducted raids on pot
sellers. There's talk about opening the commune to market forces and devel-
oping posh apartments to replace existing residences, according to one gov-
ernment plan. But Christiania has a legal team, and litigation will likely drag
on for many years.
Many predict that Christiania will withstand the government's challenge,
as it has in years past. The community, which also calls itself Freetown,
fended off a similar attempt in 1976 with the help of fervent supporters from
around Europe. Bevar Christiania —“Save Christiania”—banners fly every-
where, and locals are confident that their free way of life will survive. As his-
tory has shown, the challenge may just make this hippie haven a bit stronger.
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