For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2002
Music Community Unites
To Fight Unconstitutional R.A.V.E. Act:
Protests Scheduled for LA, NYC and DC on
September 6th
Los Angeles, CA - A coalition of members of the music community have
come together to protest the unconstitutional R.A.V.E act now being
considered by the US Senate. The R.A.V.E. (Reducing Americans'
Vulnerability to Ecstasy) Act, bill number S.2633 would expand the
federal "crackhouse" statute. Water Bottles, Glowsticks and chill out
rooms could be classified as "drug promotion." Business people,
promoters, venue owners and even homeowners will be liable for any drugs
used on their premises.
Clearly such a sweeping change in the law requires a response. The Los
Angeles protest will take place September 6th from 3pm - 8pm on the
Northwest Lawn of the Westwood Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Numerous luminaries of the LA and international DJ community including
Doc Martin, Richard Humpty Vission, Garth Trinidad, Colette, Curious,
Daniel, Kid Dragon, Freddy B and others will DJ. The event has been
organized through a coalition of organizations in LA's world renown
electronic music community including: Hi-Roller, Rock The Vote, Green
Galactic, EM:DEF, V Squared Labs, Project Sweatshop, PAS, WAX, Sound
Lessons, Insomnia, Good Stuff, Junglist Platoon, B3 Cande,
eventvisuals.com, and Solid.
The R.A.V.E. Act was introduced in the Senate on June 18th and passed
the Senate Judiciary Committee a week later, without a public hearing or
recorded vote. It has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar and
could come up for a full Senate vote in September. A number of
organizations including civil liberties groups, business associations,
and groups associated with the rave community, are working to defeat the
RAVE Act or amend it to better protect innocent business owners, free
speech, and public health. Tens of thousands of voters have signed
petitions, and faxed or called their Senators to oppose this Act.
Protests in opposition to the RAVE Act will be held simultaneously in
cities around the country, including a rave and protest on the lawn of
the U.S. Capitol on September 6th.
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) is the primary sponsor of the bill, but it
is also being co-sponsored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Charles
Grassley (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The
R.A.V.E. Act expands the federal "crack house statute" to make it easier
for the federal government to fine or imprison businessmen up to 20
years in federal prison if they fail to prevent customers or tenants
from selling or using drugs on their premises or at their events. The
RAVE Act increases the civil and criminal liability that business owners
and event promoters could face if customers commit drug offenses on
their property.
The RAVE Act is not just about Ecstasy and Raves. While proponents of
the RAVE Act are trying to target the electronic music community, the
RAVE Act would allow federal prosecutors to target other events, such as
Rock or Hip Hop concerts, country music events, and world music
festivals. It could apply to hotel and motel owners, cruise ship
operators, stadium owners, landlords, real estate managers, and event
promoters. The bill is so broadly written that individuals could
potentially face 20-year sentences for using drugs at home. Anyone who
used drugs in their own home or threw an event (such as a party or
barbecue) in which one or more of their guests used drugs could
potentially face a $500,000 fine and up to twenty years in federal
prison. If the offense occurred in a hotel room or on a cruise ship, the
owner of the property could also be potentially liable.
For those unable to attend the protest in person we strongly recommend
writing (preferable), faxing or calling your Senator on September 6th.
A fax form, sample letter and senator info is available at:
http://www.emdef.org/s2633/ <
http://www.emdef.org/s2633/> . A link to
the petition, the Drug Policy Alliance's analysis of the bill along with
the full text of the bill and the introductory statements for the bill
from the Congressional Record are also available at that link.
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For more information please contact Susan Mainzer at Green Galactic
susan@greengalactic.com