Bash Talk with Josey — Hash Bash Permit Threat Update

I want to be real with you in this Bash Talk with Josey. Right now, the Hash Bash permit threat is very real, and it’s putting Hash Bash Ann Arbor in a tough position. As we prepare for the Hash Bash 55th Anniversary, the university has unexpectedly tripled our insurance requirement—from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. In this Hash Bash permit update, there was absolutely no warning, no discussion—just a sudden change that directly impacts whether Hash Bash Ann Arbor can even happen this year.

What makes this Hash Bash permit threat even more frustrating is the history behind it. Over the past 55 years of Hash Bash Ann Arbor, there has never been a claim, never a lawsuit against the university tied to the event. This Hash Bash permit update highlights a decision that doesn’t reflect the reality of what Hash Bash Ann Arbor has always been—a peaceful, community-driven gathering. Yet here we are, facing increased pressure that feels completely disconnected from the truth.

On top of that, this Hash Bash permit threat is being fueled by fear-based messaging coming from university police. In this Hash Bash permit update, that kind of pressure only makes things harder for a community that has consistently shown up responsibly. Hash Bash Ann Arbor has always been about unity, advocacy, and peaceful presence—but right now, it feels like those values are being ignored.

Here’s the reality in this Bash Talk with Josey: if we don’t come together and raise the funds for insurance immediately, the university is threatening to revoke the permit. This Hash Bash permit threat means that without that permit, people could be at risk of trespassing charges just for showing up to Hash Bash Ann Arbor. That’s not just frustrating—it’s serious.

The deadline is tomorrow. In this Hash Bash permit update, I’m asking you directly—if you care about Hash Bash Ann Arbor and what it stands for, now is the time to step up. This Hash Bash permit threat feels like an attempt to stop Hash Bash from existing, and we’re determined not to let that happen.

If you’re able to donate, please consider contributing directly to support Hash Bash Ann Arbor. And if you’re in insurance—or know someone who is—this Hash Bash permit update is a call for help. We need solutions, and we need them fast.

This is Bash Talk with Josey—and right now, we need the community more than ever.