In 1971, a former military barracks in Copenhagen had a surprising rebirth.

In the face of rising rent, a group of journalists, anarchists, and hippies took the place over. They christened the place ‘Christiania,’ and released a mission statement announcing that the barracks would form a ’self-governing society.’ Residents would make their own rules through consensus. These rules would include, for example, no violence, cars, or bulletproof vests.

“Pusher Street” is one of its major thoroughfares: for years, it was the center of the local drug trade. Within a decade of the community’s beginning, however, hard drugs nearly tore the community apart - heroin overdoses killed several residents. Residents instituted a Junk Blockade in 1979, patrolling the community in groups and and issuing ultimatums to junkies.

Hash remained. Permanent hash stands lined the street, and the business was (at best) tolerated by the Danish government. In 2002, the government asked the citizens to make the hash trade less visible - so residents dressed their stands in camouflage. But two years later, police moved in. Residents tore down their own stands.

Christiania still exists, albeit precariously. Riots in its defense have occurred as late as 2007. It is seen by many as a testament to how ideals can fade.