Anti Rave Act Post [Back to HOME page]

People can make up their own minds about where they stand on any given issue, but there are some things that are just plain wrong and against everything that is fair and just in a democracy.

This act is a clear violation of civil liberties, a person's right to choose the music they listen to, and an innocent businessman's right to provide a venue for the music their patrons' request. It is so vaguely written, that it could be acted upon by overzealous law enforcement officials to shut down events that are clearly outside the realm of their control. For example: if you had a barbecue at your house and someone was in the back yard smoking pot, YOU AS THE HOST of the party could be arrested and subjected to mandatory minimum sentences.

You are right in saying it is targeted at one core group, people who enjoy freedom of speech, expression and free assembly. This is not something unique to the "rave scene" or a new story. Unfortunately, events that cater to the youth of America historically have become targets of government agencies trying to "control them". Everyone knows there is just as much drug use at any rock concert or in the parking lot of the Patriots game. The only difference is the government gets paid off on those vices (with alcohol and tobacco taxes.)

If enacted this law would force licensed and law-abiding business owners to stop hosting parties and other events that federal authorities don't like, for fear of massive fines and prison sentences. It would force these parties to go further underground and away from public health and safety regulations. By insinuating that selling bottled water and offering chill out rooms is proof that owners and promoters know drug use is occurring at their events, this bill may make business owners too afraid to implement such harm-reduction measures, and the safety of partiers will suffer. You know people are still going to party, why not help them to party as safely and positively as possible?

You can say what you want about young people at parties, but be honest…we all experimented when we were younger (our president admitted to having a cocaine problem in college), right or wrong, it is a right of passage. And drugs are not more connected with dance music than they are with rock and roll, reggae or 4:20 p.m.

If we eliminate parties that feature electronic music, we are killing the lifeblood of our future customers and leaving the whole dance music industry for dead.

In my opinion, all of us (as DJs, promoters and club goers) need to stand up as a unified front and oppose this and other unfair laws. If we don't, this bill (along with other more insidious and pervasive bills) will pass and sooner or later, there will be NOWHERE to go and hear electronic music.