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"Music Makes the People Come Together", So Leave Raves Alone

by Vanessa Diaz | 04.26.2004 ReadMe | Print it.

Raves—places where people go to listen to music, dance, and, yes, sometimes, do drugs. So what does the government do about it? In April 2003, the Senate and House pass the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (formerly known as the “The Rave Act”) as an attachment to an unrelated child protection bill. The Act has the force to stop licensed and law-abiding business

"Radiate" (rave sponsored by UltraWorld). Photo: from Tronster.com.

owners from hosting events out of fear of massive fines and prison sentences.

As if there aren’t other places where people are doing drugs (Shit, the White House might even be a drug haven). Funny that the very government trying to ban “raves” because of the drug use that goes on in them is probably responsible for a good deal of the drugs that are there.

But, apparently, these stiff government authorities just can’t dance or appreciate music. As the Drug Policy Alliance warns:

“The RAVE Act will also stifle musical expression and is a threat to free speech and the right to dance. It is clearly an assault on raves and electronic music. If the bill becomes law, property owners may be too afraid to rent or lease their property to groups holding all-night dance parties, rock or Hip-Hop concerts, hemp festivals or any other event rightly or wrongly perceived as attracting drug users.”

Now, there are two new pieces of anti-rave legislation being considered, the CLEAN-UP Act and the Ecstasy Awareness Act, that threaten to widen the laws to prosecute anyone who holds an event and fails to prevent illicit drug use.

What about the people who just go to raves to dance (like myself)? Are you a struggling junglist who uses raves as a networking tool? Raves are one

Nocturnal Wonderland Rave and Music Festival, September 2, 2000 (I was there for my 17th birthday!). Photo: from Lotus Magazine.

of the only places where people can regularly come together for music, fun, and dance. It’s like having Woodstock’s every weekend.

What can you do to stop this ridiculous movement to terminate the electronic music community? Send a letter to your state representative.

Raves

by Tanya Slepicka on Monday, 04/26/2004 - 12:27

I've only been to one rave in my life, but it was the greatest experience. Everyone is so nice and friendly with one another. The overall feel is very positive and uplifting.

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Raving

by Lars on Monday, 04/26/2004 - 12:28

I've been to several raves, and it seems to me that everyone who is there is there to have a good time, and do it in a peaceful way. The "dangers" that congress wants to talk about are so minimal in the scheme of things. If you think about the number of people at raves compared to the number of people who die because of them, the percentage is microscopic. We're losing more of our youth in this nonsensical war then we do at raves. Let the people dance while you think about that.

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people will do what people wi

by woody on Monday, 04/26/2004 - 20:25

people will do what people will do
meaning that if someone wants to do drugs
they will do drugs
stopping "raves" will not stop ecstasy use nor any other drug use

they could apply this to ANY concert too!!!

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This law is leaking onto city

by Dain on Tuesday, 04/27/2004 - 07:11

This law is leaking onto city pavements as it infiltrates clubs nationwide as well. From the crackdowns at 1015 Folsom in SanFran, to Nation in D.C., to the closings of Exit and Sound Factory here in NYC (whether these particular clubs closing are actually a good thing or not is debatable), the po-po's are using this "loosely written law" to be the bitch at everyone's party. It's even possible for the DJ's to receive fines for being employed at a club that has drug activity going on. Although clubbers and ravers are sometimes at odds, what happens in the underground always affects the mainstream as well!

btw - I was at Nocturnal Wonderland that year too! ;)
here are some music samples to go along with this topic of raves/electronic music:

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To protest the Anti-music leg

by A Reader on Friday, 04/30/2004 - 14:51

To protest the Anti-music legislation

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raves can not die

by Victor on Tuesday, 06/01/2004 - 17:59

comming to a rave is a lot more than drugs, dancing and music, they're a celebration of life. where people from all over come together with smiles.there will always be a place for that, there will always be a need for that. there will always be people like us.

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rave is a beast

by stephanie on Friday, 07/02/2004 - 13:55

wen u think about rave all u can think about is your best rave song and ppl think u r a mong gone rong wen u rave but if u think im rong e-mail me at tigtig2@msn.cpm

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