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TranceAddict Forums > Main Forums > Chill Out Room > New RAVE Act headed to floor

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JudgeJulez
Senior tranceaddict

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: SOAS!

New RAVE Act headed to floor

Taken from http://www.drugpolicy.org/homepage.cfm

In an attempt to sneak the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (formerly known as the “RAVE Act”) through Congress, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) introduced the legislation into conference committee as an attachment to S151, widely referred to as the AMBER Alert bill. S151 is a bill about child abduction that has nothing to do with drug policy issues. The “RAVE” Act, in contrast, has not passed a single committee this year. In addition, it was so controversial when it was introduced last year that two Senators withdrew their sponsorship. The “RAVE” Act is a bill that would make it easier for the federal government to punish business owners for the drug offenses of their customers – even if they take steps to stop such activity.

On April 8, 2003, a Senate and House Conference Committee, agreed to attach the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act to the Amber Alert Bill. If the Democrats are successful in their efforts to attach the “RAVE” Act onto an unrelated bill, it is likely to become law without ever having a public hearing, debate or a vote. The legislation still must be voted on by the full House and Senate. Until the Senate and House act and the President signs the bill into law, we will continue to fight to remove the RAVE Act provisions from the AMBER Alert legislation.

The “RAVE” Act threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties – real or alleged – even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. It applies not just to electronic-music parties, but any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. Moreover, it gives heightened powers and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don’t like – such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.

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.

Opposition to the “RAVE” Act continues to grow. The Drug Policy Alliance and its coalition of partners will continue to mobilize to protect property owners and prevent the further criminalization of dance and music events. As always, we will keep on working to advocate for legislation that helps ensure the safety and free speech of the dance community and all people who stand to be adversely affected by this law.

Voice your opposition by faxing your senators here: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/

Apr-10-2003 00:44 Thailand

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djSlain
[Suspended]

Registered: May 2001
Location: San Diego CA

here's what i think:
If a club has a bouncer to shake down customers with drugs, then that should be enough. If the government wants to send their own SUPER bouncers to check up on clubbers, i'm also fine with that. I don't think the RAVE act's main premise is "we have to stop clubs/raves." Their intent is to stop mass drug usage at clubs/raves. U can't deny it, drugs are everywhere in the club/rave scene. Whether u like it or not, in the US, drugs are illegal. A lot of people don't like red lights, so they pass through them. I'm sure there are plenty of great drivers who feel they aren't afraid to cross into a yellow/red stoplight. But guess, what? if u get caught, then u must deal with the consequences. same thing about drugs. U want to live in the great US, then u must abide by its laws.
If you were really in love with the club/rave scene, you would drop the drugs and go for the GOOD time, to MEET great DJs, the great social event of clubbing and raving. Unfortunatly, we don't live in holland. go to holland if u don't want to deal with the US policies. We want to preserve clubs and raves, not drugs and raids.

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Apr-10-2003 01:22

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DR86
I <3 GW Basketball

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Neither Here Nor There {NYTA/DCTA}

Well said, but i ask yout this. The gov't has decided to shake-down the rave scene because of the drugs. BUT, at HipHop/Rap/RnB concerts, there is soooooo much contraband going thru, including guns that will go off. Why doesn't the goov't check them out?

Apr-10-2003 01:41 Lebanon

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djSlain
[Suspended]

Registered: May 2001
Location: San Diego CA

good point. I think it's because most of the rap scene uses weed, and it's about <->THIS close to becoming legal and accepted in society as another relaxer (ginko, herb, beer, cigs). ecstasy is (supposedly) a lot more dangerous

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Apr-10-2003 01:56

drizzt81
Professional Lamer

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: GTA #1 - At work

quote:
Originally posted by djSlain
here's what i think:
If a club has a bouncer to shake down customers with drugs, then that should be enough. If the government wants to send their own SUPER bouncers to check up on clubbers, i'm also fine with that.

exactly. I think that after getting checked at the door, the club has done all one can REASONABLY expect them to do. Seeing how much i got violated at EXIT in NYC last year, THEIR searches are much more thorough that when i get on an airplane.

I do not think that the club is responsible for what its patrons do on the inside, as long as it shows 'reasonable effort' to keep drugs and weapons out.

quote:

I don't think the RAVE act's main premise is "we have to stop clubs/raves." Their intent is to stop mass drug usage at clubs/raves.

that is true. The goal is to stop drug usage, but the means is to just stop clubs/ raves. And that is wrong, imho.

quote:
A lot of people don't like red lights, so they pass through them. I'm sure there are plenty of great drivers who feel they aren't afraid to cross into a yellow/red stoplight. But guess, what? if u get caught, then u must deal with the consequences. same thing about drugs.

Exactly. That is the whole point. If you get caught, u will have to deal with consequences. But the government doesn't say "Well, we don't want people driving through red-lights anymore, so we will make cars illegal".

Yes, I am a guest in this country, so my oppinion counts nothing for the legal system, I would just think that it is sad to see that the US government is running such a hard-line when it comes to electronic music.

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Apr-10-2003 02:52 Germany

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djSlain
[Suspended]

Registered: May 2001
Location: San Diego CA

quote:
Originally posted by drizzt81
But the government doesn't say "Well, we don't want people driving through red-lights anymore, so we will make cars illegal".

good point!

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Apr-10-2003 03:25

Swamper
Webmonstah

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Toronto, Canada

Even worse than this is the Patriot Act which was passed and now they're attempting to remove the time limitations - aka wanting to make it a permanent fixture.

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Apr-10-2003 04:39 Canada

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Endlesswave
Resident GreekCypriot.

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Thornhill (Ontario)

What Patriotic act?

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Apr-10-2003 04:41 Cyprus

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fastmp3
ta main sur le zbebs

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Montreal/Canada & Casablanca/Morocco (the ROOTS of TRANCE)

that crap voted after 9/11 which gives them to power to arrest your ass for no particular reason etc ... thank God i don't live in the US

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"A style that's impossible to define. Prog? Hardly. Tech house? Not boring enough. It's like trippy twisted acid house but deep and funky. See, I told you - impossible."

Apr-10-2003 04:47 Morocco