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Electronic Music Defense and Education Fund
August 9th, EM:DEF 2001 Newsletter
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse & "Club Drugs"
2. The DEA's Information Bulletin on Raves
3. Government Crackdowns Continue
4. Midwest Music Summit
5. Donate to EM:DEF
1. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) & "Club Drugs":
In 1999 NIDA coined the phrase "Club Drugs" and spread the word of the
danger of these drugs in a $54 million publicity campaign. The result
has been a national hysteria about the danger of CLUBS, rather than the
drugs categorized in this group. In fact, the campaign was so
successful that earlier this year, when law enforcement officials
started arresting the promoters of nightclubs and raves for throwing
music events, public opinion was against these professionals.
The web-site for the NIDA "Club Drug" campaign can be viewed at the link
below:
http:! //! ! ! ! www.clubdrugs.org
2. The DEA's Information Bulletin on Raves:
In April of 2001 the Department of Justice published an Information
Bulletin on Raves. Two striking components of the bulletin cover
paraphernalia (naming glow sticks and other items in this category), and
anti-rave initiatives. The anti-rave initiative is also relevant to
nightclubs since nightclubs have been pursued using similar strategies.
The effectiveness of NIDA in establishing the "club drug" phrase can be
seen in the DEAs efforts to simply pursue the promoters and owners of
raves and nightclubs with criminal charges. The DEA has not attempted
to cooperate with promoters, or to arrest the people dealing and
possessing drugs. Instead, they have pursued the people responsible for
hiring DJs, lighting crews, security, medical staff and other things
which both create the rave and nightclub experience, and contribute to
safety for attendees at ! th! ! ! ! ese events. Following is a brief
excerpt from
the bulletin. The complete document can be viewed at the link below:
1. Identify rave promoters...includ(ing) all parties responsible for
managing the production and promotion of the raves, including the owners
of the property where the event was held.
2. Compile emergency medical service (EMS) records.
3. Conduct undercover operations inside the venue during rave events.
4. Place an undercover officer... as job applicants for security
positions.
5. Execute search warrants...of the promoter. (NOT those found dealing
drugs!)
The complete rave bulletin can be viewed here:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/656/
The anti-rave initiatives can be viewed by following this direct link:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/656/#Anti-Rave
3. Government Crackdowns Continue:
The extent of the government's campaign cannot be summarized in one
paragraph. EM:DEF attempts to keep a c! ur! ! ! ! rent listing of all news
articles about rave and nightclub crackdowns on our web-site. If you
know of additional links to news stories, please e-mail us so we can add
it to our site (will@emdef.org). Please also visit the library on our
web-site for a wealth of information about current crackdowns on
electronic music.
http://www.emdef.org/library.html
4. Midwest Music Summit:
EM:DEF has been invited to speak on a panel discussing the future of
Electronic Music at the first ever Midwest Music Summit. The closing
ceremonies of the summit will feature an outdoor rally on Sunday
including discussion about defending the right of music promoters and
the music industry as a whole. Several cities in the Midwest have
recently been hit with anti-rave legislation, and nightclubs have been
under increased scrutiny. The organizers of this event have clearly
illustrated both the professionalism and creative content of the mu!
si! ! ! ! c
industry - in all genres of music. The conference organizers have paid
all travel costs for this event. EM:DEF will continue to direct
donations toward legal cases which effect our industry.
Visit the Midwest Music Summit site at:
http://www.midwestmusicsummit.com
5. Donate to EM:DEF
Given the government's interest in pursuing the professionals of the
electronic music industry, it seems likely that more cases will emerge
which require financial contributions t pay for people's legal defense.
Furthermore, given the government's stated objective of pursuing
promoters, it is clear that those people who continue to create and
promote events are taking on an additional risk.
The entire premise of the government's strategy violates the
constitution and existing law on several levels. Drug paraphernalia, for
example, must be related to the ingestion or intake of a drug - clearly
chemical glowsticks are not.! S! ! ! ! imilarly, the DEA has been given
authority to pursue drug dealers and those in possession of drugs - not
the promoters of music events. Indeed, music is protected under the
first amendment.
As long as the government is pursuing this strategy, we will need to
fight in court to defend our rights. We NEED financial support from
people to continue this work. We are asking that everyone concerned
about the future of electronic music, and the protection of our
constitutional rights, make a donation of $15 or more to EM:DEF. All
donations are fully tax deductable. If you can donate proceeds from an
event, or otherwise contribute, we will appreciate that support as well.
http://www.emdef.org/contribute.html
Press can contact susan@greengalactic.com
All other inquiries can be directed to will@emdef.org
EM:DEF is a project of The Lindesmith Center
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