Get Nick out for No Smoking Day!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 At nine o'clock this morning donations to secure Nick Hogan's release stood at £5,029.50. Some people are speculating that he could be out within 24 hours but I would caution against excessive optimism. The finishing line is in sight but we're only half way towards the target.
We'll see what happens today when the initial euphoria dies down, but my guess is that it will be difficult to maintain the same momentum we had yesterday - unless one of the major, largely libertarian bloggers like Guido Fawkes, Iain Dale or even Devil's Kitchen gets behind the campaign.
In my view a more realistic target for Nick's release is No Smoking Day (Wednesday 10th March). That may seem a lifetime away but imagine the photo opportunity!
Just a thought.
Simon Clark
Old Holborn has an update HERE. As I predicted, the donation rate has dropped sharply today - not helped, perhaps, by the suggestion that donations could be used for something other than Nick's early release.
"Help get Nick Hogan released" - that's what we urged Forest subscribers in an email yesterday afternoon, and many of them rallied to the cause in the belief that getting him out of jail was the sole purpose of the fund.
Libertarians ... like herding cats.
Reader Comments (15)
I agree Simon, Nick will not be released overnight, and I believe that he would not expect so. I've met Nick more than a few times (along with Hamish Howitt) when they came to our local Freedom2Choose meetings, at a pub that openly flouted the smoking ban and have made a few videos about this. Nick, who has been bankrupted by this odious ban, could have found the money to pay his fine but chose not to because of his beliefs. Nick Hogan is a gentle giant of a man who would not hurt a fly, his only crime was to allow smokers to smoke on HIS premises.
You can send a letter or card to:
Nick Hogan
prisoner DN5431
HMP & YOI Forest Bank
Agecroft Road
Pendlebury
Manchester
M27 8FB
I'd still like to see Big Tobacco chuck in a few bob.
Christ knows we throw enough their way.
No doubt we'll get some weasel words like "We can't. We aren't allowed".
Where there's a will there's a way. Just do it already.
Get the man home where he belongs.
CG.
You are going to have a mighty long wait Colin. Big Tobacco could have brought the smoking ban to a swift end had they decided at the very beginning to put money into fighting it. But while they have the far east to concentrate on, they don't seem to give a hoot about what is happening here.
It would be good if Nick Hogan was released on National Smoke Like A Chimney Day. But if I were in his shoes I would want to be out ASAP, debt free and I would not care who paid for it, Big T, Big P, ASH who cares. But hopefully that wont too long, ASH UK have yet to put in! I am sure the hat is being passed around as we speak!
Firstly, apologies to Iain Dale for my insulting comment on another thread yesterday. Impatience, frustration, anger, led to it but that is no excuse for bad manners. However, I'm sure he had heard worse in the blogospehere.
Secondly, contributors are saying that now the fund has reached half way, if we donate the same again, then we will have every chance of reaching the full total within a couple of days.
If it is looking slack tonight i'll bung another 50.00 in.
It's only money to me, it's freedom to him.
Leave him where he belongs behind bars
Exactly "Nick Hogan" Behind the bar of his pub - that's exactly where he should be!
Yes I hope he is out soon and I have donated a tenner.
Also sent an email to ASH just in case they did not know.
I'm keeping my eye on the running total, too, in case I need to make another donation. I'd hate it if the full amount weren't raised - can just imagine ASH's gloating.
'Katabasis' on OH has suggested that a fund could be started and people contribute a monthly donation to pay for fines (similar to the smokers' union idea). I'd certainly be willing to give money to such a fund. Have publicans who are willing (from SOPAC) to covertly invite customers to a protest 'smoke in' at a pre-determined date and time (making sure that the sum in the fund will cover the fines). If there were enough publicans and funds there could be a rolling programme of flash smoke-ins. Much more effective than individual action.
I'd have thought that Iain (Dale) would run with this story as it typifies the antithesis of Tory 'small' Government and the sheer nastiness of this particular Government.
If donations are only blog based we are missing thousands of potential contributors.
Cant someone oranise (quickly) a unique bank account where everyone can pay in at any location.
Pay in account only....Bank Name....Nick Hogan Campaign...sort code....acc no
Anybody ??
Cheques for the Nick Hogan fund can be made payable to Freedom to Choose (Scotland).
The address is Freedom to Choose (Scotland), c/o The Dalmeny Bar, 297 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SA.
Contact: Belinda@Justice for Nick Hogan page on Facebook.
(I am not sure that a unique bank account can be organised properly in these suspicious times: However the above facility is on offer.
I'm happy just to have helped raise enough money to make Nicks life a little easier, however it is used.
Nick stood up to the State and it has battered him.It can't batter us all.
OH - you did a fantastic job and totally exceeded all expectations. I believe that Simon is right when he says other suggestions have taken the momentum out of the fund but even so, more than half way to the target in a couple of days is bloody amazing and shows what we can do when we pull together.
Is payment of half of the fine - which should surely cover any arrears - be enough for Nick's solicitor to go back to court to negotiiate his release?
Someone on Oh's blog suggested that the fund could continue after Nick's release for further unjust fines of this nature. I'd support that.
Anyway, what now?