| Koko |
Posted
on 17-Apr-03 12:46 PM
Rave Act Passes Congress
In a sneaky, last minute maneuver this week (4/10) by Senator Joseph Biden (a Democrat from Delaware), who is no friend to the music industry, the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (i.e. "Rave Act") passed though Congress on the coattails of the Amber Alert bill (a piece of legislation to help find missing children). The constitutionality of the bill has been in question from day one as it has primarily been targeted at dance music and DJ culture events.
However, now that it has passed, it threatens free speech and musical expression of all kinds. It places at risk any owner of an establishment (hotels, bars, arenas/stadiums, nightclubs), concert promoter or event organizer for the drug violations of any third party (real or alleged) even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free.
The law not only applies to electronic-music parties, but to any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. 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 bill is yet another blow to the music industry, artists and free thinkers as it will surly deter business owners from hosting any event connected with the above types of expression. Thus, the bands, performers and DJs attempting to perform and make a living by doing so will be the most effected not to the mention the fans who will have far less opportunities to see their favorite acts in live performance. Is this not another hindrance to free speech and expression, something that is protected in our constitution? Sadly, too few of our Congress members were asking that question this week, even though more than 13,000 faxes were reported to have been sent this week alone against the bill. In their defense, Senators Durbin, Kennedy and Leahy alongside Representatives Conyers and Scott were the only opposing voices to passage of the Rave Act.
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