So whats going on with the Rave act? Anybody know anything? Are raves being shut down? I used to live in seattle about 6 months ago and the scene up there is off the hook, now im in socal in san diego and there isnt shit for a scene here.. Let me know whats up with the new laws and if raves are soon to be gone... cause if so, im moving to canada or someplace where raves are cracking! PLUR pat

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2003

Answers

I havnt heard anything about that. But then again, I live in San Antonio, TX. The raves over here are pretty tight. Well some, like the ones at Farwest.

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2003

Members of both the House and Senate are attempting to pervert proper legislative processes by appending two unrelated provisions to the popular Amber Alert measure. One of the two provisions would target raves -- a social event that mixes electronic music, light shows and dancing; the other provision would seek to limit the discretion of federal judges.

The rave provision would make building owners liable for their tenants' and customers' activities. For example, even if they instituted excellent security precautions, restaurant, bar, nightclub, dance and music venue owners could all be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars and forced into bankruptcy if a customer sneaked in drugs. No matter how much security is put in place, they could be held responsible for the actions of just one customer.

The federal sentencing provision would require the Justice Department to report to Congress every time federal judges use their discretion to impose a lower sentence than recommended under federal sentencing guidelines. This would intimidate judges and prevent them from using their judgement when handing down sentences.

These anti-civil liberties amendments should have full legislative review and not be allowed to piggyback on more popular, yet unrelated, legislation.

Take Action! Click here for more information and to urge proper legislative process for these provisions: http://www.aclu.org/DrugPolicy/DrugPolicy.cfm?ID=12280&c=185

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SUPPORT DRUG POLICY REFORM!!! FORWARD THIS ALERT TO YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES _____________________________________________________________ EMERGENCY - JOE BIDEN TRYING TO SNEAK RAVE ACT INTO S151 Conference CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) is at this very moment attempting to sneak the RAVE Act into conference committee on the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 (S151). S151 is a popular bill about child abduction and has nothing to do with drug issues. S151 has already been passed by the Senate and House and is now in Conference. In contrast, the RAVE Act has not passed even one single committee this year. It did pass a committee last year, but was so controversial two Senators withdrew their sponsorship after the vote.

This means that if the RAVE Act passes the conference committee, it is likely to become law without ever having a hearing, a debate or a vote. Drug Policy Alliance has been told that Senator Biden has told other conference committee members, incorrectly, that the ACLU is no longer in opposition to the action. He also has told conferees that nightclub owners now support him (on the basis of one group that switched sides). If the act makes it into the conference language it is likely to become law. It must be stopped now.

PHONE YOUR SENATORS and Conference Committee Members (Background information below). DO IT NOW. If you do not respond to this alert, the controversial RAVE Act is likely to become law and it will be much harder to fix.

ACTIONS TO TAKE: 1. The following Members of Congress are on the conference committee. They need to hear from you IF AND ONLY IF you live in their district. Please be polite. Just tell them that you oppose the RAVE Act, that it is controversial and it should not be included in the conference language of S151. Don't stay on the phone long. Ask as many people as you can to call them.

HOUSE: James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) - 202/225-5101 Howard Coble (R-NC) - 202/225-3065 Lamar Smith (R-TX) - 202/225-4236 Mark Green (R-WI)- 202/225-5665 Melissa Hart (R-PA)- 202/225-2565 John Conyers (D-MI) - 202/225-5126 Bobby Scott (D-VA) - - 202/225-8351 SENATE: Orrin Hatch (R-UT) - 202/224-5251 Charles Grassley (R-IA) - 202/224-3744 Jeff Sessions (R-AL) - 202/224-4124 Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - 202/224-5972 Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - 202/224-4242 Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - 202/224-4543 Joseph Biden (D-DE) - 202/224-5042

2. Everyone in the U.S. - You have two Senators who can weigh in on this issue with the conferees. A list of your Senators by state can be found at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Please call your Senators at the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121 - please tell them that the RAVE Act is very controversial. Senator Biden is holding up the AMBER Act by placing controversial bill in conference. Urge them to oppose the RAVE Act by contacting the Senate conferees and asking them to leave it off the measure so that there will at least be a hearing on this issue.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could create disincentives for club owners to have water, ambulances and paramedics available at large dance events. The bills might also threaten live music and dancing. If enacted, either bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live. Every musical style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic music. The proposed laws could also shut down hemp festivals, circuit parties, and other events government officials don't like. Both bills would allow overzealous prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others.

The two bills are the RAVE Act (H.R. 718) and the CLEAN-UP Act (H.R. 834). The RAVE Act was first introduced last year in the Senate by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). A House version was introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). Thanks to the support of thousands of voters like you, Drug Policy Alliance and a coalition of friends and activists around the country was able to stop both bills last year. Unfortunately, supporters of the RAVE Act are even more determined to pass it this year. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) is sponsoring a new RAVE Act in the House. Additionally, Senator Biden has introduced a Senate version entitled the Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act.

If enacted, the RAVE Act would make it easier for the federal government to punish property owners for any drug offense that their customers commit - even if they work hard to stop such offenses. If enacted, nightclub and stadium owners would likely stop holding events - such as rock or Hip Hop concerts - in which even one person might use drugs.

The CLEAN-UP Act was also first introduced last year, but it failed to make it out of committee. This year's bill has over 60 co-sponsors and could become law without your help. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R- CA), the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act is largely an innocuous bill that provides more money and training for the clean up of illegal methamphetamine lab. Hidden within the bill, however, is a draconian section that could make dancing and live music federal crimes. Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act stipulates that:

`Whoever, for a commercial purpose, knowingly promotes any rave, dance, music, or other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of Federal law or the law of the place where the event is held, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 9 years, or both.'

This provision will allow any concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner and arena or stadium owner to be fined and jailed, since a reasonable person would know some people use drugs at musical events.

Under both the RAVE Act and the CLEAN-UP Act, it doesn't matter if the event promoter and property owner try to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens that want to listen to music not do drugs. If enacted, either bill could be used to shut down raves, circuit parties, marijuana rallies, unpopular music concerts, and any other event federal officials don't like.

Please visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.ctsg.com/managesubscription.asp to learn about other lists you can subscribe to, or to unsubscribe from individual or all lists.

For problems, please contact Jeanette Irwin at jirwin@drugpolicy.org .

Please join the Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2003

To all parents, teachers, counselors, and anybody who works and cares about our youth: If your are disturbed by the above submission,and the state of our youth, then talk to them, be firm with them,but fair,know where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. It is our responsibility!!!! And join, or start up your broad-based colition for kids. We have to make the time, not leave them to their own devices. Belieive me,doing otherwise would only backfire.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

the government makes more money off keeping drugs illegal they get paid to let them in they get paid when you are caught they get paid when they redistribute them if it was really a concerne would alchohol be legeal think about it its in my opinion one of the most addictive and dangerous of all drugs its only accepted because of religion and the same reson drugs are a sin is the same reason ciggerettes or alchohol is because it defiles the temple

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2004

There is a bunch of information online it seems petitions, protest actions etc.. etc.. if you would like amnesty from any inhumane actions by any party for doing things that are humane yet some unlearned cultures frown upon contact me if they attempt to use force I will protect your base human rights, if they act against you for your beleifs which do not infringe standards of human decency they are erronous.

We are the ones who make the decisions.. of course I geuss for some it could just be a matter of staying up to date on politics i.e. how their actions will effect their social status etc.. etc..

its all illegal government that uses force for issues that do not pertain to base standards of human decency are not lawful governments nor lawful government actions. only corrupt government would impose restrictions on human

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2004