sTmykal

Short story: Rave gets busted in para-military fashion. Charges of brutality and excessive force fly.

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Just before 9/11, much of the music community was upset about the "Rave Act" being passed. The legislation was targeted at illegal parties being thrown by promoters to further the sale of drugs. Sounds noble, right?

However.

Authorities were not just targeting the underground events, they were targeting the ones that were legit - the ones that paid for their permits - the ones that hired security (usually off duty cops) - the ones that paid for liability insurance - the ones that jumped through every single hoop that they had to in order to hold their event.

This is not just limited to raves.

The letter of the law is so loosely written so that any gathering of people, where music may or may not be involved, and where police feel that drugs might be sold, is pretty much open for police action - no warrant - no nothing. This could mean the night club where you go to see your favorite band or dance to music could be shut down at any minute. Any house party that might "look like a rave" is subject to the jack-boot at the door. Trust me - I know from experience. Your local ren faire or book club could even be subject to scrutiny. They won't knock on the door and ask you to "turn it down". They'll drag you out by your hair and beat you down on your front lawn.

So the Rave Act kind of disappeared from the general publics eye after 9/11. There were larger things to worry about in the face of the thousands dead in New York. But the law is still there and it's still being abused. The end.