Grateful Dead Press Conference

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Film Date
10/5/67
Film Reference Number
KPIX 33593
Description
KPIX Eyewitness News report from October 5th 1967 in San Francisco by Ben Williams featuring a press conference by The Grateful Dead who are objecting to marijuana drug laws (after their recent arrest for possession). Danny Rifkin (the group's co-manager) states that: "The real danger to society ... comes from a law that is so seriously out of touch with reality." He goes on to claim that the media's focus on the 'hippie' stereotype is encouraging police to discriminate against people identified as being part of the counter culture movement. Ends with Rifkin dismissing the 'hippie' as: "A lie as well ... Afraid of people who are exploring new ways of living freely the larger society has classified ... them into the myth of the hippie. The long haired drop-out who performs his rites for the convenience of visiting cameramen."
Format
16mm newsfilm