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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:20 PM
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Anybody
aqauinted with The United States Constituion should be a bit upset
about this one, regardless what you think about the music.
This happened Saturday night in Utah. You have to watch the video
First hand account from Knick of Evol Intent...
Last night, I was booked to play an event about an hour outside of Salt
Lake City, Utah. The hype behind this show was huge, they presold 700
tickets and they expected up to 3,000 people total. The promoters did
an amazing job with the show.. they even made slipmats with the flyers
on them to promote in local shops.
So, we got to the show around 11:15 or so and it was really cool. It
was all outdoors, in a valley surrounded by huge mountains. They had an
amazing light show flashing on to a mountain behind the site, the sound
was booming, the crowd was about 1500 people thick and everything just
seemed too good to be true really. Well...
At about 11:30 or so, I was standing behind the stage talking with
someone when I noticed a helicopter pulling over one of the mountain
tops. I jokingly said "Oh look, here comes big brother" to the person I
was with. I wasn't far off.
The helicopter dipped lower and lower and started shining its lights on
the crowd. I was kind of in awe and just sat and watched this thing
circle us for a minute. As I looked back towards the crowd I saw a guy
dressed in camoflauge walking by, toting an assault rifle. At this
point, everyone was fully aware of what was going on . A few "troops"
rushed the stage and cut the sound off and started yelling that
everyone "get the fuck out of here or go to jail". This is where it got
really sticky.
No one resisted. That's for sure. They had police dogs raiding the
crowd of people and I saw a dog signal out a guy who obviously had some
drugs on him. The soldiers attacked the guy (4 of them on 1), and
kicked him a few times in the ribs and had their knees in his back and
sides. As they were cuffing him, there was about 1000 kids trying to
leave in the backdrop, peacefully. Next thing I know, A can of fucking
TEAR GAS is launched into the crowd. People are running and screaming
at this point. Girls are crying, guys are cussing... bad scene.
Now, this is all I saw with my own eyes, but I heard plenty of other
accounts of the night. Now this isnt gossip I heard from some candy
raver, these are instances cited straight out of the promoters mouth..
- One of the promoters friends (a very small female) was attacked by
one of the police dogs. As she struggled to get away from it, the
police tackled her. 3 grown men proceeded to KICK HER IN THE STOMACH.
- The police confiscated 3 video tapes in total. People were trying to
document what was happening out there. The police saw one guy filming
and ran after him, tackled him and his camera fell, and luckily.. his
friend grabbed it and ran and got away. priceless footage. That's not
all though. Out of 1,500 people, there's sure to be more footage.
- The police were rounding up the staff of the party and the main
promoter went up to them with the permit for the show and said "here, I
have the permit." The police then said, "no you don't" and ripped the
permit out of his hand. Then, they put an assault rifle to his forehead
and said "get the fuck out of here right now."
Now.. let's get the facts straight here.
This event was 100% legal. They had every permit the city told them
they needed. They had a 2 MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy for the
event. They had liscenced security guards at the gates confiscating any
alcohol or drugs found upon entry (yes, they searched every car on the
way in). Oh, I suppose I should mention that they arrested all the
security guards for possession.
Oh another interesting fact.. the police did not have a warrant. The
owner of the land already has a lawsuit against the city for something
similar. A few months ago, she rented her land for a party and the
police raided that as well. And catch this, the police forced her to
LEAVE HER OWN PERSONAL PROPERTY. That's right. They didnt arrest her,
but made her leave her own property!!!
Don't get it twisted, this is all going down in probably THE most
conservative state in the USA. And this is scary.. a gross violation of
our civil liberties. The police wanted this party shut down, so they
made it happen. Even though everything about this event was legal. The
promoters spent over $ 20,000 on this show and did everything they had
to to make it legit, only to have it taken away from them by a group of
radical neo-con's with an agenda.
This was one of the scariest things I have ever witnessed in person. I
can't even begin to describe how surreal it was. Helicopters, assault
rifles, tear gas, camoflauge-wearing soldiers.... why? Was that really
necessary?
This needs to be big news across the USofA. At least in our music scene
(edm as a whole)... this could happen to any of us at any time. When
we're losing the right to gather peacefully, we're also letting the
police set a standard of what we can get away with. And I think that's
BULLSHIT!
The system fucked up last night... They broke up a party that was 100%
legal and they physically hurt a lot of people there at the same time.
The promoters already have 6 lawsuits ready to file with their lawyers
and the ACLU is already involved.
I'm sure some pictures (and hopefully some video) will surface soon.
I'll make sure to post them up here on 404, so you can see the Police
State of America at work.
Here is a collection of information I've compiled regarding the
incident. Regardless of what your opinion is, people were hurt and
violated by the people who are supposed to be our protectors. That shit
is not right anyway you look at it. I am seriously trembling from all
the anger I have inside.
Please download these and save it because they will try to pull all these clips from the net.
Click Here For Actual Video Footage From The Incident (With Audio)
Click Here For Actual Video Footage From The Incident (Without Audio)
Click Here For A Video Clip From The Local News
First Hand Account From Syze...
Last night was one of the worst nights of my life. I am still
incredibly shaken up by what happened ....enough to the point of where
I'm still having problems talking about it. So I will tell you my side
in a few words then link you to a more detailed version of how Knick
explains it .
I was playing in Salt Lake City about 1 hour away at a massive outdoor
event. 700 presold tickets, and by 11:20, there were 1400 kids there
already.... all in all total expected... 3 - 4k. This was an all drum
and bass event, held on private land, with an amazing view of the
mountains surrounding us. This event was fully contracted with the
city. They had all permits, a huge insurance policy and they were
paying taxes. you have to know this is because of what happened next.
And in NO MEANS is this story exaggerated. word for word this is what
happened.
It was 1145... I had 30 min before my set, so I was running around
looking at the mountains and the people dancing, laughing , the crazy
visuals they even had projecting on the mountains. I will share photos
once I can see them. All of the sudden a helicopter comes in with
massive spot lights .. all on the people circling everyone ... and
within minutes like out of some fuckin movie , soldiers with guns
(fucking rifles )come in out of the grass, like some Vietnam shit. The
police in full riot gear come in, big trucks ... next thing you know
they are throwing tear gas at people, setting dogs on people, arresting
kids. 4 big guys on one DNB fan kicking him down tying his hands ....
making kids sit in the dirt with their hands tied all in a line, now
you must remember in this whole time NO ONE was resisting arrest or
making a big deal, everyone peaceful started to walk out... but yet
they were throwing tear gas... it gets worst ... but whatā€™s even more
fucked up is hundreds of kids on drugs driving home on the freeway
while they were just in major trauma.
I still cant even figure out what the hell happened, the promoter
called me to make sure me knick and spor were ok and I broke down
crying.. couldnā€™t breath, I was freaking out ..... why? Is this what
our fuckin country has come to .... a point of someone making a fully
legal show and STILL getting busted for WHAT?????? What did 3000 kids
on private land in the mountains near NOTHING .. do to ANYONE?
The promoters have a massive lawsuit and they have so much evidence
against the county that its not even funny, I will be present to
testify against these fuckin pigs. And if you think this matter is a
joke then all I have to say is . I didnā€™t believe it until I had gas
thrown at me. I am going to make sure I keep you all posted on this,
and let you know if thereā€™s a way any of you can help.
FYI for all people who where involved last night. If you where arrested
by any one in the national guards (if thay where there, and that is
what i heard) please read this...
Click Here
It states that united states troops can only aid(support) in local law
enforcement and can not make arrests or direct participation.
I hope this helps.
First Hand Account From Dylan Elder...
It's interesting to note how one-sided a conversation can quickly
become upon having a fully automatic weapon waved in your face whilst
attack hounds bark the vicious roar of bestial ferocity intended to
strike fear deep into the heart. Evidently, by way of my actions that
evening, I was a criminal who's acts were so heinous that suitable
reprecussions included incarceration, or attacks with deadly force upon
my person, all in the name of retaining order in a fit of domestic
terrorism. I am a criminal, and was treated as such, all because I went
to a large scale, state approved, and peacefull public gathering.
Having no weapons, no illegal substances, no malicious intent, nor any
kind of political agenda for the evening, in retrospect this gross
display of militant force seemed excessive for such a circumstance, yet
with my hands in clear sight, no yelling nor raise in my tone at all, I
was a threat to myself, those around me, and to our proud and honorable
men and women in uniform. Just a small recount of my experience last
night.
Details of the show are trivial to the underlying theme of this
article, but to list a few, the name of the show was Versus 2,
featuring two artists I was quite excited to see, being DMC Champion
turntablist Craze, and Knick from Evol Intent, amount others. The venue
was just outside Spanish Fork, Ut., at what I believed to be some kind
of construction site or quarry, it was hard to gather details in the
dark. I arrived at approximatly 10:15 PM or so. Everything seemed to be
very well run. Two security checkpoints searching cars, multiple people
in the parking lot directing traffic to ensure dense and well
structured parking, and lots of portable restrooms and trash cans
spread about, both of which being key details to obtaining a mass
gathering permit (amoung others). I just so happen to know that, as it
was explained to me by a county sheriff last year, which makes for an
interesting story in itself, but will be left untold for now. I got out
of my car, and I was excited. The setup looked great, the moon was big
and bright, the weather was ideal, and I was ready to hear some great
music, see my friends, meet new people, and dance the night away. The
venue was set up in such a fasion that when you walked down a path from
the parking lot, you came to the secondary stage, and if you kept going
on the path, you came to a larger clearing where the main stage was set
up.
I made my way down to the second stage, said a quick hello to a few
friends that were there, and started walking up towards the main stage.
I was about half way up the path when I heard the music cut out from
behind me. I could still hear the generator running, so I couldn't
figure out why the music had stopped, but I just assumed they were
having technical difficulties and thought nothing of it. I thought I'd
probably head back down that way in a few minutes to see if there was
anything I could do if they were having problems with the equipment,
but I still wanted to go find a few people since I had just barely
arrived. As I start walking back towards the main stage, I overheard a
random person in the crowd yelling that the SWAT team had arrived and
were shutting everything down.
I've been to a number of shows, and seen a fair share of them shut
down, but I couldn't believe it was happening tonight. It was my
understanding everything had been handled to ensure proper permits,
legitimate private property with complete consent and understanding
from all angles. I heard many people later explaining just how far the
promoter of this show went to ensure everything went smoothly. I looked
to my right and noticed police officers trudging through the bushes
towards the main stage. Local enforcement was obvious, but I still
couldn't believe that the SWAT team was there. I got to the main stage,
saw a few more friends there, and just waited for a brief moment to see
how it would pan out. What I had anticipated, as had happened before,
would be music shut down, an officer barks a few orders on the
microphone, kids with paraphernalia are searched and/or arrested, the
furor dies down, and usually a suitable compromise is made. We turn the
music down a bit, kids are asked to leave, but those who are truely
there to have fun, to enjoy themselves, be there only for the music,
get to stay and pan out the rest of their evening. That wasn't the case
this time around.
After the main stage was shut down, the circling helicopter was getting
closer to the ground, and that's when I saw the men in fatigues
brandishing assult rifles. I had told a friend of mine to calm down, go
with whatever happens, and we'll see how it works out. Thats when I
spun around to see that innocent people on stage were recoiling in
horror from having guns waved at them and orders barked. I can remember
one officer in particular demanding that the record not just stop, but
that everything had to be completely turned off, which people were
scrambling to try comply with the demands, but that's not as easy to do
when you're fearing for your life, I can only imagine. As people were
rushing to try to collect their belongings, records, tents, audio
equipment, the SWAT kept waiving their guns around and demanding
microphone access after they had already had everything turned off and
shut down. A man in uniform approached me and barked the order that I
was to return to my car with no delay and leave. Even though previous
experiences were less intense, I had been in that possition a time or
two before, I feel a little veterened in handling such a situation. You
win some, you lose some, I knew I was going home this time, but there's
never any harm in a quick dialog between bystander and enforcement. In
more words or less, I made it apparent that I was on my way out, I
would passivly comply with whatever was needed to make this go easy,
but I wanted to know under which grounds I was being evicted from my
peacefull, private gathering. Usually when you show a voice of reason
and zero threat of violence, you can at least talk with an officer for
a bit. I was only able to ask my first question in a series that I had
carefully planned, but the response I recieved was a curled lip, even
more violent shouting, a gun pointed at me, and the threat that if I
asked a single other question I would be detained or disabled my any
means necessary. This is when I saw the dogs attacking people, and
other kids being tackled by 3-4 of these "civil servents" at a time. I
felt violated. I had done nothing to deserve that kind of treatment,
but I felt I had to do what I could to try help other kids not get
themselves in trouble. I told people to put there cameras away, I
quelled a fair share of the anti-police sentiment amoungst the groups
around me. Our small protest, albeit nonviolent, was better saved for
another time.
I noticed in most of the shouting, many of the men in fatigues had
trouble annunciating, indicating they were so full of adrenaline, who
knows how itchy trigger fingers could have been. This full scale assult
had obviously been carefully planned. I'm sure it took quite a bit of
preperation to get this assult team properly geared up, get the
helicopter ready, have probably every single bit of local enforcement
that they could muster. There were even several reported sightings of
morse code being blinked back and forth between opposite ends of the
valley we were in. Many of these officers had also been recognized as
being at parties previously, dating back as far as 2001 for shutting
events down, and then being undercover at other shows later. Carefull
planning indeed, but I am appalled. If you really felt you needed to,
you could shut a show down with a handfull of cops and not a single gun
comming unholstered. Although upset, there's no harm in being
reasonable, there are so many other ways this could have been handled.
I reprehend your execution on this one Utah County.
I suppose this is the result of a bored little army, but I feel
dehumanized when treated like a terrorist when standing on the soil of
a country I show patriotism for just as much as anyone. I've always
been a big supporter of ending the war, support the troops, bring them
home, yet suddenly a war of some nature is brought to me, and I am the
enemy. Am I a criminal? Am I a terrorist? Verbage is freely open to
interpretation, but there is no reprimand for such a severe punishment
that was threatened upon me. Had I inadvertantly said the wrong thing,
or quickly moved my hand, or something that seemed imposing to one of
these fatigued men, what's to stop me from quickly becoming a casualty
of a battle that had no reason to happen in the first place? This night
will bear the example of the most unnecessary act of force that Utah
has seen all in the name of the Reducing American's Vulnerability to
Ecstacy Act. Tax dollars well spent to ensure my safety, and the safety
of my future children.
-Dylan L Elder
Alisha's account...
This is my account of events that unfolded while attending an outdoor
electronic music event. I arrived shortly before 9 pm sharp. My two
friends and i set up camp and headed to the stage. All was well and
peaceful enjoying the music to the full extent while dancing. Around
11:30pm or so i noticed a helicopter flying above the main stage of the
event. At this point i am confused. The chopper began to come in closer
to the stage with a search light focused on the crowd. I got nervous
and still very confused and walked over to find my two friends I had
arrived with earlier. Just as soon as i did that I looked over at my
friend and asked "whats going on". That is when I was greeted by a man
in full army attire, gas mask and all. He said to leave. I said what
whats going on, at which point i was brutally attacked. Thrown to the
ground and in the scuffle punched in the face by swat. That was not it
either. I suppose i posed some a threat as another swat member rushed
over to subdue me to the ground puting his knee in my back and
arresting me. At that point I am screaming to a patron "whats going
on?" He is just as confused as I am. At that point another swat member
came over and kicked me in the leg. Let me tell you that I also only
weigh 130 pounds. I had three grown men attack and beat me and throw me
to ground for absolutely no reason at all. Not to mention being dragged
to a van and violently being tossed in and taken to jail. Fined for
resisting arrest and another outrageous charge. I do need to mention
also that while this is all happening to me at the same time my two
friends, a boy and girl were trying to reach out and stop them, at that
point they were attacked and arrested as well.
That is my account. I have all the bruises to show. Our basic human
rights were violated in a very bad way. We have to tell our story. Do
all that you can and dont be afraid to speak up.
From: Joanna aka Syze
Date: Aug 21, 2005 11:59 PM
UTAH PARTY I WAS PLAYING AT .... SAD
Hey everyone, by now most of you know that I was set to perform at the
Versus 2 in Salt Lake City Utah last night August 20th 2005. I am mad,
sad, and disturbed at what happened. Here is more info and thank you
all for your kind words.......please spread this all around and write
letters so we can be heard and fight this.
Ravers mauled by K-9s, beat up by police, CAMERAS CONFISCATED &
DESTROYED, SWAT brandishing ASSAULT RIFLES, women KICK IN THE STOMACH
by cops, TEAR GAS dispersed!
Make sure to check out Knick's post, linked towards the bottom of this blog.
Utah Raves Forum:
http://forums.utrave.org/showthread.php?t=19971
My story on Seattle DNB
http://www.seattlednb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2840
Knick from Evol Intents story
http://www.404audio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14814
CONTACT UTAH LEGISLATURE!!!
CONTACT UTAH LEGISLATURE!!!
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:23 PM
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I'm sickened by it.
What threat does a little 130 pound girl pose?
What justifies her getting assaulted the way she did?
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:25 PM
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It's
Utah for God sakes. The most backward state in the Union. The Mormons
control everything so why is this a surprise? They should be thankful
they didn't decide to begin their Blood Atonement practice again
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:30 PM
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What the hell that looks like excessive force if I ever freaking saw it. What the phuck is america coming too????
"People are partying, GET THE CAMO AND THE ASSAULT RIFLES AND ATTACK THEM WTF?????""""""""
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:31 PM
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Fuck Utah, and fuck the war on drugs.
The rave scene in Seattle is all but dead, and so many unemployed club
DJs are running around, it's reminiscent of the Dot-Com bust.
Why are raves so threatening?
I been to more than a few raves broken up for less than legitimate
reasons, and seen more than a few kids arrested for absolutely no
reason. But I never thought it'd get this bad.
It's a sick society we live in when basic rights are ignored, and
people turn a blind eye to it because the victims were associated with
a less than desirable crowd.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:32 PM
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I'm
still rather confused as to why the concert was broken up... what was
the point? Nowhere in any of these accounts are there any indicators
why the armed forces would go there in the first place. Anyone?
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:33 PM
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Police raid rave party in Spanish Fork Canyon
Party's over: 90 officers from several agencies cite 60 at the event, which had more than 400 people in attendance
By Michael N. Westley
The Salt Lake Tribune
About 60 people were arrested Saturday night when police officers busted an illegal rave in Spanish Fork Canyon.
Those arrested were cited on a variety of charges including
the possession of illegal narcotics, weapons violations, DUI, illegal
consumption of alcohol by a minor, disorderly conduct, assaulting a
police officer and drug distribution.
The youngest of those cited was 15 years old, said Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Dan Gilbert.
Police in Utah County have monitored several raves this summer and
have grown increasingly concerned about their legality and safety,
Gilbert said. When detectives got word that another party was planned
for Saturday, they set to work to make sure they got their point across
that such activity was not welcome in their area.
"The Sheriff's Office will investigate and look into and find an
illegal mass gathering going on, we will take the appropriate action to
stop the party at that time, " Gilbert said.
Investigators learned that no permit had been requested for a
mass gathering which requires a bond and Utah County Commission
approval for groups larger than 250, said Gilbert. Police learned
around noon Saturday that the rave would be held in the Diamond Fork
area of Spanish Fork Canyon and assembled about 90 officers from
several agencies to enforce crowd control.
Undercover officers filtered into the party when the doors opened
about 9 p.m. By 11:30 p.m. police confirmed that more than 250 people
were in attendance and stormed the party. During their two hours at the
DJ-driven dance party, undercover officers had observed a multitude of
illegal activities including the sale and consumption of drugs such as
cocaine, ecstacy, alcohol, methamphetamine and marijuana.
"The sale of drugs at these parties is so prevalent that at this
particular rave party, drugs were offered to local off-duty emergency
medical service personne
who were contracted to be there, " Gilbert said.
A 17-year-old West Jordan girl overdosed on ecstasy, police said.
Most of the participants were between 15 and 30 years old and were from
Spanish Fork, Springville, Provo, Payson, as well as Davis and Salt
Lake counties, Gilbert said. Two security guards hired by the promotor
were arrested for the possession of cocaine and ecstasy and Spanish
Fork police made two DUI arrests as partyers drove out of the canyon,
he said.
Most of the 400 or so ravers left peacefully.
But others were detained if they had been seen doing something illegal or showed visible signs of impairment, said Gilbert.
In a sweep of the area after the crowd had been controlled, which
one raver said was executed with unnecessary force, police found a
plethora of drugs and drug paraphernalia scattered on the ground,
Gilbert said.
Brett George told News 13 that officers stormed the party and
treated attendees unfairly, including beating one man that was trying
to film the bust with a video camera.
Police want parents of teenagers to know the dangers of illegal,
clandestine rave parties. Gilbert said that in addition to heavy drug
use, raves attract sexual assaults, violence, theft and promote unsafe
driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:33 PM
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I
want to know what is happening legally in the state of Utah right now
about this. ARGH!! That is a disgrace that humans are willing to use
that much force on other humans for listening to music and partying.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:34 PM
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Chisum Wrote:
What the hell that looks like excessive force if I ever freaking saw it. What the phuck is america coming too????
"People are partying, GET THE CAMO AND THE ASSAULT RIFLES AND ATTACK THEM WTF?????"""""""" |
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It's Utah. A state where apparently there is only one liquor store in
the whole place and it's state run. It's about the closest thing to a
theocracy you can have here, so this is not really a shock.
I've never cared for raves I must say.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:34 PM
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the Heathen Hammer Wrote:
I'm still rather confused as to why the concert was broken up... what
was the point? Nowhere in any of these accounts are there any
indicators why the armed forces would go there in the first place.
Anyone? |
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My guess is because it was an electronic music event and as any good
drug warrior will tell you where there are turntables there is ecstasy.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:36 PM
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F
backward ass states like Utah, if there were no drugs, they'd have
still busted it just for it being more than 250 in attendance, and if
there was less than that, they of busted it for loud music in the
middle of nowhere.
UTAH THE ONLY NOT FREE STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:37 PM
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Jason Wrote:
It's Utah for God sakes. The most backward state in the Union. The
Mormons control everything so why is this a surprise? They should be
thankful they didn't decide to begin their Blood Atonement practice
again |
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Well, thats like saying "Its San Francisco for chrissakes!" on the boat post earlier today.
It dosen't make it right, and it is everything we're supposedly fighting to protect in Iraq.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:40 PM
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Ah,
OK. reading things through twice and seeing the vids, you have an
over-ehtusiastic police dept closing down a rave on private property
with whose owner you had a previous beef, plus it seems the owner
and/or organizers have lawsuits already active against the city. Looks
like someone at cop central fucked up, and more lawsuits are incoming.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:40 PM
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haha..Any
Rave in general is basically like a drug bust buffet for law
enforcement so of course they are going to zone in on it.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:42 PM
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Cashew Wrote:
Jason Wrote:
It's Utah for God sakes. The most backward state in the Union. The
Mormons control everything so why is this a surprise? They should be
thankful they didn't decide to begin their Blood Atonement practice
again |
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Well, thats like saying "Its San Francisco for chrissakes!" on the boat post earlier today.
It dosen't make it right, and it is everything we're supposedly fighting to protect in Iraq. |
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Well you make a good point, and I don't think the cops did the right
there with the way the took action, but anytime you have a rave then
you can bet the cops are going to be on your ass because they know it's
going to be an easy bust.
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Posted:
August 22, 2005 3:46 PM
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Jason Wrote:
haha..Any Rave in general is basically like a drug bust buffet for law
enforcement so of course they are going to zone in on it. |
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Yeah, although this is fucked up on all sides, the rave promoters share a good chunk of the blame in this scenario.
It is common knowledge that raves are targeted. Promoters that neglect
to cover their asses subject their patrons to this sort of thing. I
think they should be sued as well.
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