Police/National Guard raid Utah Party..

[Cult]

<snip>
(Posted by DJ 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."
<snip>

Here's video:

http://www.angrymobclan.com/facism.mov

[KamaAina]

1. That'll teach 'em to party while Bush** is in town!

What'll they use next? Weapons of mass destruction? Sheesh. :grr:

[LeftHander]

11. kick!

Outrageous...

[JHB]

16. Another video link (is it the same video?)

http://www.aionblog.com/?postid=96

[lonestarnot]

24. No, the other video is better...

[Cult]

37. 'We know where the ravers have them."

They're North, South, East....uh...and West! ...And they're on Narcotics! And.....They kill children! Oh, oh and they're communists!

[gogo69]

40. in the flesh

So ya thought ya might like to go to the show.
To feel the warm thrill of confusion, that space cadet glow.
I got me some bad news for you, Sunshine.
Pink isn't well, he stayed back at the hotel,
And he sent us along as a surrugate band.
We're gonna find out where you fans really stand.
Are there any queers in the theatre tonight?
Get 'em up against the wall. -- 'Gainst the wall!
And that one in the spotlight, he don't look right to me.
Get him up against the wall. -- 'Gainst the wall!
And that one looks Jewish, and that one's a coon.
Who let all this riffraff into the room?
There's one smoking a joint, and another with spots!
If I had my way I'd have all of ya shot.

lyrics from "In the Flesh" by Pink Floyd

[rocktivity]

73. Utah--THAT'S IT!!!

I didn't make the connection between it and Bush's visit--and protest. THAT'S why they did it--that many young people in one place dancing to non-Christian music!!!

:mad:
rocknation

[hiley]

2. video

http://www.unnet.net/crap/facism.mov
from another thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2025353

[unhappycamper]

3. Brownshirts in camouflage.

Guess where we're heading folks?

[Richard Steele]

18. Heading? I think we're already THERE!

[tives12]

4. Mainstream

I sure do hope that this makes the news at least somewhere. If they can interview enough people, then perhaps the video won't be necessary...not that you have much of an option to use it.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

43. It was reported in Utah papers as an illegal rave, lots of drugs and

drinking by minors, no permits, etc. Here are links to two articles.

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=62703


http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2961967?rss

[ihaveaquestion]

85. The comments to the HTH article are running about 3 to 1

AGAINST the police action...

I guess there's hope for Utah yet!

[progressivebydesign]

5. Wonder if this had to do with Bushies visit to Utah???

Or is this a revenge scenario against the woman that rents out her land for parties? Unbelievable.

[Cult]

6. A few more personal accounts from the event

My account of the night of versus 2 is as follows:

I was standing behind the second stage watching a friend of mine play records. Everyone on the dance floor was talking or dancing to my friend’s Reggae / Ragga music he was playing. Everyone appeared to be having a good time.

Up on the hill I noticed some cars that had been stopped for some time and on top of one of the bigger cars I saw what looked like ambulance lights. I commented to my friend standing next to me that the vehicle over there looked like an ambulance. He jokingly said that it was a paddy wagon.

Ironically, he was right. That was a paddy wagon from the Utah National Guard. After a little while I saw flashlights coming toward us. I leaned over to my friend at my right and mentioned how I think the cops are here. I was pretty wrong since no longer than thirty seconds had passed when we had assault rifles pointed at us. I was standing there behind the DJ booth with my hands in my pockets when they started yelling at us. They told me to take my hands out of my pockets, which I did. Then they told me to just put my hands on my head. I did that. They told my DJ friend that he needed to shut the music off. After they had said that they turned around and started yelling at us again. They said that it was an Illegal party and that we needed to fill our car with people and go. Their rifles were still pointed at us. They asked us if this was our equipment at the booth, to which we replied no. They told us that they knew we had been drinking and if we were too drunk to drive to stay there. Then another armed officer told us that we needed to leave now.

We walked back to our car and saw groups of people being harassed and being told to leave. We kept walking to the car. I counted about 9 police trucks, an ambulance and a paddy wagon on our way out the gate.

This is my account of what happened. I heard a lot more happened to other people. I feel lucky to be one of those who didn’t go to jail. Didn’t have police dogs sent after them, and most of all, I’m glad I didn’t get tasered.

- Sean Liddell.

______________________________________________


Last night at 10:00 PM I arrived at a party in the Spanish Fork canyon. I was excited to be there to listen to the great electronic artists that had traveled for to play for the crowd.

Before coming to the event I researched it extensively. The party was %100 percent legal and legit with all permits and necessary security required by law being acquired. The event was well organized, with garbage cans, porta potties, and rope lines blocking off parts of the area that you could no go into.

Now I want you to know that many people out there consider ravers a bunch of drug taking freaks. I also want you to know that that is a stereotype that is passed down through legions of undereducated parents, politicians, and media. There are many of us who are drug free party goers who attend these events for a pure love of the music.

So on to my point. At around 11:00 I was enjoying the good vibes and great music. Then at about 11:30 pm a helicopter began circling the party. Out of nowhere huge semis filled with national guard, swat, and the police rolled up. Soldiers came out of the bushes and rushed down to the party. Carrying M-16s, Ak-47s, nightsticks, and tazers. They proceeded to attack random people and push their might around on people who had done nothing wrong.

I saw about 7 people attacked (before being forced to leave). I saw two of them right in front of me. One was a guy who was walking around with a camcorder stunned at what was happening. A soldier told him to give him the camera now. The raver said no it is my camera. The soldier then proceeded to grab the camera, throw it to the ground and then began beating the kid. In the end they threw him to the ground violently an put their knee into his back while handcuffing him. All for wanting to keep his property. When I last saw him he was knocked out and unmoving.

Another girl next to me said to one of the soldiers that she didn't know how to get home as they had just arrested her friend. The soldier told her to walk home. My friend tried to grab her to bring her with us, but the soldier began yelling that she had touched him (which she hadn't). WIthin seconds, five soldiers had jumped on her and were literally beating the crap out of this innocent women. She was punched in the face, thrown to the ground, and kicked while down. All for worrying how to get home safely. She is now suing.

The soldiers proceeded to attack anyone with cameras or camcorders, obviously wanting to restrict the film that got out about it. This was not a legal attack, it was a blatant violation on our rights as American citizens. And the swat, police, politicians who authorized this, and the national guard knew this. That is why they were removing potential evidence.

We were treated as terrorists, innocent kids without weapons or even violent thoughts in their minds were manhandled, treated like terrorists, and forced to stop doing what we were by constitutional rights allowed to be doing. Our rights were completely removed from us. It was if we had visited the 1960s or communist China.
-Rodan

___________________________________________________
My name is Colby and this is my account of what happened at versus. In a large clearing a mile or so up Diamond Fork Canyon near Spanish Fork, Utah, there was an outdoor electronic music show. At approximately 11:30 PM, a helicopter with a spotlight made its first pass over the main stage. It came back and hovered over the confused crowd, as National Guardsmen in full camoflauge, helmets, boots, gas masks, and armed with assault rifles and dogs swarmed into the crowd. They first made their way onto the stage, grabbing people and forcing them onto the ground to handcuff them. I saw at least two people being beaten on the ground while barking, snarling dogs are held just a few feet from them. Weapons were being pointed at unarmed, peaceful civilians. A friend of mine was forced at gunpoint to put his hands on his head and turn around, because he asked if he could get his things from the tent. Tents were ripped open indiscriminately, and all belongings and bags were recklessly searched. I've heard accounts of people taking pictures, and when they refused to hand over the camera to the authorities, beaten or tasered. One sheriff said that "many people at the party had guns" and that there were "children in danger". The only guns I saw were the rifles held by soldiers, and the only children in danger were the people being wrongfully attacked by them. They say they shut it down because of drugs. Raves are not the only musical gatherings where drugs are used and distributed. The fact is that it was a premeditated strike, more likely motivated by a vendetta against raves stemming from Sequence Five (a previous outdoor party that the police did not have the manpower to shut down) than actually enforcing drug laws.
___________________________________________________
The Following is an Account of the Actions of the Night of August 20th 2005.

I arrived at the location for an outdoor electronic music event, at around 9:25 p.m. The First thing I noticed was the structure, and the layout of the site was very well organized. Markers were placed to prevent people from wandering off the designated paths. Wastebaskets and Trash recepticles were numerous. I was assured that the promoters had obtained 100% Legal Access to the land. All in all I was looking forward to a fun night with my friends, listening to music. I consider it like any other event ive gone to (Rock Concerts, Rap Concerts, etc.) The mood was festive, people were dancing and I could even smell the meat cooking from a grill.

At Around 11:39 p.m. I noticed a bright light in the sky to the North East, which I quickly realized was a Helicopter Search light, and I saw it circling over head. I assumed that the Helicopter was only there to scout us, make sure we weren't doing anything wrong, so I quickly dismissed it. However, it made 2 more passes and got substantially lower to the ground each time. At this time I heard a Woman next to me say "The Police Are Here, Everyone Has to Leave" Lots of people were disappointed, but noone was: rioting, fighting, or being insubordinate. People merely began to file towards their cars. At this time I actually got a look at my surroundings. Dozens of Men in Full Camo, Kevlar Vests, Gas Masks MP5 Navy's AUG's and many other fire-arms. Attack Dogs, were barking somewhere ahead of me. Suddenly I saw the sight that disgusted me. A person whom I had met before was on the ground face first, 4 Reservists had their guns pointed to his head, and were handcuffing him. Their attack dog was mauling his: Shoulder, Neck and Torso areas. I was quickly shuffled along but was very disgusted. I had attempted to record the man on the ground with my Camera-Phone, but a soldier approached me and took my phone and said "move Along" I still have not recovered it.
I also was witness to the blunt beatings using shoulder rests of weapons. My friend Katie Mercer was hit in the side of the head with an MP5 because a soldier took her camera, and she was trying to recover it from him. I was witness to numerous people being held at gunpoint, people being handcuffed, Attack Dogs, Guns, Malice, Hatred.

This blatant over-use of force is not only un-moral, it is also ILLEGAL. At no time during the night did I see any person with:

-Firearms
-Knives
-Fireworks
-Drugs

While it may be true that some individuals choose to take drugs at said events like this, Myself as well as many others choose to go for the music. Just like anything, you have bad apples, but you shouldn't cut down the tree.
_________________________________________________

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 lookin at the mountains and the people dancing, laughing , the crazy visiuls they even had prjecting 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 tieing 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 throwin tear gas... it gets worst ... but whats 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.. couldnt 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 NOTHIING .. 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 didnt belive 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 theres a way any of you can help.
-DJ SYZE
-_________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________

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.




-Knick from Evol Intent

_________________________________________________



GET THIS OUT IMMEDIATELY. This can NOT be left alone. Forward this to everyone you know.

[JanusAscending]

82. Totally Outrageous!!

I'm emailing this thread to Kieth Olbermann of Countdown, I and would suggest for "fast action" someone get ahold of Jesse Jackson!!!I hope you are all OK! I have a grandson that plays heavy metal guitar. Last I heard, we aren't under Marshall law yet, but Utah sounds like it's a "police state" This needs THOROUGH INVESTIGATION!!!

[Webster Green]

7. OMFG!....That is outrageous!....

Get some decent lawyers, and you are all going to be very rich.

[screembloodymurder]

8. WTF !!!

Everyone involved in this police action must be prosecuted. That includes the National Guard members and the Governor.

[anotherdrew]

9. amazing, so I assume they are going to sue?

How in the hell can they think they can pull this shit! This is beyond an outrage, this is criminal and whoever ordered this action needs to be identified immediately and made an example of.

[Benhurst]

10. They should just be thankful they live in the Land of the Free.

Yeah. Sure.

[Cult]

12. Who do I call about this?

What do I do to help? I have no idea.

[Cult]

13. Original Link

http://www.404audio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14814

[meganmonkey]

14. That is scary and ugly and NOT my country

what happened to my country

:cry:

[Cult]

15. There's a website up for this....

but I think it's being thrown together....

http://www.music-versus-guns.org/

[meganmonkey]

20. Welcome to DU Cult

:toast:

I wish it were a happier toast. this is appalling.

[Cult]

26. Thanky!

Just glad my first-ever topic post could attract attention....If anyone knows what to do about this, post it!

[meganmonkey]

52. I think the best course of action would be a lawsuit

by the promoters/organizers of the event against the (county?state?who exactly were the camouflaged thugs?). Also sending it to news outlets. There is a really good resource in the Activist Corps forum with media contacts.

Yeah, this was a great first topic for you to post - anytime you get police-state on camera you'll get an audience :)

[Gregorian]

17. Uh oh.

The drug war was practice for this.

Now you've got a real uphill battle to find justice. The media needs to be bombarded with this story. But then, they'd just twist it into something to fit their agenda.

[Taverner]

19. So will ravers be the new "Swing Kids"?

And will they ban electronica for its "demoralizing" effect?

[GliderGuider]

58. That was my first thought

The parallels between the raid they showed in that movie and this incident are enough to put ice in my veins.

[Julius Civitatus]

21. My jaw just dropped to the ground

I can't believe it.

The land of the free...
The home of the brave...

:cry:

[ihaveaquestion]

22. Is there any propaganda being put out by the police, yet?

They will try to paint everyone with the "wild party" brush and all those arrested will be said to have resisted arrest....

It's all scare tactics, but very effective unfortunately.

:evilfrown: :mad:

[steve2470]

23. kick nt

[Cult]

28. Yeah, they said it was illegal,

and there were 17 year olds overdosing on ecstacy. Whatever. I don't believe any of that.

[phusion]

30. If there were 17 year olds ODing on X

Then the proper response would definitely not be running in with semi-automatic rifles.

:(

[Cult]

32. No doubt.

They were probably afraid that the kids would find more happiness on the dance floor than the floor of a Mormon Church.

[phusion]

35. LOL!

Aint that the truth.

Thanks for bringing this story to light.

[smoogatz]

25. God. It's all like some horrible flashback of the late 60s/early 70s.

We lived in a virtual police state then, and we live in one now. Forward to the Dark Ages, my friends.

[emcguffie]

75. It's much worse.

I was there. It was never like this. Except, I guess, at Kent State, and that was a singular event.

[tk2kewl]

27. According to Utah's Daily Herald these guys were SWAT not NG

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=62703&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

[Cult]

29. If you look at the comments on the Herald article....

People are praising the authorities for keeping the morals of our youth intact. I'm so furious, I'm posting on there....

[Supersedeas]

76. Saw that too: The Brownshirts have support in Utah

[Cult]

38. Read the comments on that page

It just makes me madder and madder....

[kansasblue]

31. Newspaper acount of event

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2961967?rss

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.

[electropop]

33. This little boo-boo will

knock a huge hole in Salt Lake City's budget. The lawsuits will not end with the promoters. Each person they injured will (and should) sue for big $$$. In what sense did the cops think they were serving their city?

[High Plains]

34. Where are the DU police apologists when we need them?

[oasis]

36. Should be news but all we're getting is Natalie Holloway.

[Generic Other]

39. Does not sound good at all

What the hell was their problem?

[progressoid]

41. Dear me - Mormons dancing. Call the SWAT team.

Looks like the promoter got the city permits but missed the county one. Sounds like a great reason for a raid to me...

:sarcasm:

[Miss Chybil]

80. Just an FYI - Mormons do dance.

In fact, they have dances all the time.

[number6]

42. police state USA !

:scared::mad:

[Solon]

44. I say the Police did a wonderful job...

at compensating for their small penises and pinhead brains. Bullies are like that :)

[nc_gadfly]

46. isn't it an intriguing coincidence. . .

. . .that Bush spoke in Salt Lake City today

[Solon]

47. To be honest...

I say the raid would have happened regardless of whether Bush was in town or not. Its not he first such raid on that property after all.

[gulfcoastliberal]

45. I believe you can thank a Democratic senator for such police powers

His name is Joe Biden. BTW, he also outlawed Chapter 7 bankruptcy for citizens. And he's probably running for president.

http://talkleft.com/new_archives/002360.html

[Oreegone]

49. Joe Biden NOT A DEMOCRAT

He and Lieberman should start their own party, the party of Turncoats. I do not want this confused wacko running my government.

[Tsiyu]

48. Kicked

and nominated

:kick:

Welcome to DU, Cult :hi:

[girl gone mad]

50. I'm not exactly shocked..

Police have been busting raves since the last time I went to one, which was in the early 90s. A very pregnant friend of mine was kicked in the stomach by a cop breaking up a rave. When we tried to get his badge number, his buddies surrounded him to prevent us from seeing it.

The only thing new here is that they look more like the army these days than the police and they carry bigger guns. Other than that, the MO is the same. On the plus side, more people carry video cameras. Soon eneough wreless web cams will be common so it won't matter anymore if the cops confiscate film.

[mike_c]

51. hmmm-- crowd control training exercise...?

I know it sounds paranoid, but the event was permitted, insured, and by all accounts well managed. A 100 percent dependable "target" for an unscripted crowd management exercise.

[spuddonna]

55. God, I just watched the video...

They don't look like cops at all... They were dressed like the army...

Does anyone know exactly what they declared themselves as when they came in? I've heard NG, but unless there is an emergency and they are specially deployed by the govt., that's a violation of Posse Comitatus Act...

[spuddonna]

53. Geez oh man...

Hey, I'm just adjusting my tinfoil hat here, but any chance that Bush 'n Pals are getting a little nervous about the house of cards falling apart, and decided to use Pgh and Salt Lake as a 'lesson'?

I know nothing of raves, but if anyone has ever been to any concert, you know there's drugs... You just don't see the Nat'l Guard descend into a U2 crowd to crack down on drug use...

If this event was legit, which it sure sounds like it was, then our country is in deep trouble... :(

You guys that were at the concert need to contact the ACLU (if you haven't done so) immediately. Get these testimonies to them.

And hey, welcome to DU!

[Mr_Spock]

54. Well, if there ever was an illegal way to break up a party, that was it

This sounds like the atmosphere Bush want's in Amerka - Nazi storm troopers.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

56. that video is frightening.

absolutely frightening.

[gulfcoastliberal]

60. Uh, that was Sen Bidens legislation which allowed that behavior!

Sendator Biden (Repuke claiming to be a dem) is the one who authored the "rave act" - allowing the further shredding of the 4th amendment. Don't blame this on the repukes - they wouldn't have had the authority to do this w/o Sen. Biden and his bullshit.

[Eric J in MN]

57. What about posse commitatus?

Shouldn't that bar National Guardsman from stealing people's cameras?

[Mnemosyne]

61. It should have kept the Guard from

even being there!

:grr: :wtf:

America is slipping away more quickly each day.:cry: :banghead:


Sept. 25,2005 March on Washington!!
I wonder what they will pull there? Or is this to discourage us?

[Eric J in MN]

62. some reports say it was a SWAT team dressed in green camaflouge

so that would take away the posse comitatus issue.

Whether it should be legal for police to dress as soldiers is another issue.

[Mnemosyne]

63. They looked like soldiers, but as you stated, it

may be a "dressup" issue. assholes.:grr: :nuke:

[YOY]

59. Wonder if they would raid a Toby Kieth concert with the same tactics

I would pay to watch that...

:popcorn:

I hope that some major lawsuits get filed against the SWAT team for that useless and vile display of power.

[Cult]

64. Kick!

In case anyone missed this....

[loudsue]

66. Back up to the top....for the morning crowd.

So this is what boosh's amerikka looks like.

:shrug: Well, he DID say he wanted to be dick-tater. And sure 'nuff!

:kick::kick::kick:

[nicknameless]

68. Sieg heil to the dick-tater / pud-spud.

Every time it seems they couldn't possibly get any worse, they sink even lower.
We're looking more and more like a f'ing police state.

:cry:

[rman]

65. kick

[BamaBecky]

67. This makes me physically ill !!!!.....n/t

[datasuspect]

69. police state kick

[QuettaKid]

70. Same thing in Europe....

""For years we've had a travelling tekno festival in europe "Teknival", visiting all the countries. Free minds, free people, you probably have to be an European to know about this. Compare it to Burning Man if you will, it does set the mindframe.

But it has become impossible, because of the government(s). Not allowing this to take place for the last few years, for me in the Netherlands, the caravan is no longer visiting. So I thought in eastern Europe they'd still be safe!

Sadly the new world mindset reaches everywhere nowadays, just look at the picture. It's CzechTek 2005, sorry for getting all emotional. It's my desktop right now, to remind me and maybe all of you out there...""


http://cyberspaceorbit.com/raver.htm

[DS1]

71. Send those Guardsmen to Iraq, obviously they've got too much energy

:eyes: :grr:

[Kagemusha]

72. I don't get it. Legal rave vs. illegal rave? I don't get it.

The cops claiming what, the city was defrauded as to the purpose of this event? Was it? I have no idea what this event was about besides music. None.

[Nevernose]

74. Usually they use the fire marshall to break up the legal raves

I guess that's why so many of them are outdoors now. That, and the insurance is cheaper.

[DrBloodmoney]

77. Screen captures from the video

Sick... welcome to Amerikkka

[JanusAscending]

83. Thanks for the pics!

I couldn't get the vidio (first one) to play. It looks like some of the "uniforms" are wearing face covers, wonder why?:sarcasm: Kinda looks like the terrorists in Iraq!! Too ashamed or afraid to show thier faces!!

[Stand and Fight]

78. Fucking Ay!

If this shit isn't fascism, I don't know what is... Makes my skin crawl to even read about this.

[Cult]

79. Make sure you read the END OF THIS ARTICLE:

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=62786
<snip!>

Witnesses say undue force used at rave

Rashae Ophus Johnson DAILY HERALD

Firsthand accounts conflict so starkly that one might wonder whether law enforcement busted two separate events last weekend in Spanish Fork Canyon. Yet the Diamond Fork-area location is among few details confirmed by both the roughly 300 partygoers and about 90 law enforcement personnel who dispelled them at 11:30 p.

m. Saturday.
Uprock Records of Salt Lake City promoted the event as an "album-release party" on fliers and Internet sites like www.utrave.org. In addition to live performances by DJ Craze of Miami and Spor from the United Kingdom, the party featured typical highlights like a laser light show, barbecue, oxygen bar and glow sticks.
Undercover deputies and SWAT members depict a rave with rampant illegal activity. Beyond the anticipated drugs -- ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana, mushrooms -- they discovered counterfeit money, guns and an overdosed 17-year-old girl.
But where the stories drastically diverge is the raid.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office reported 18 citations for disorderly conduct, failure to disperse or related charges; 21 alcohol- or drug-related offenses; two for assaulting a peace officer; and two related to firearms. Sheriff Jim Tracy said most of the crowd left peacefully, and deputies exercised a "takedown method" only to arrest those who actively resisted.
Witnesses, however, allege "soldiers" and SWAT members held "AK-47s" to partygoers' heads, punched girls in the face and unleashed an arsenal of everything from attack dogs to tear gas.
"At about 11:30 a helicopter began circling the party," said one partygoer in an e-mail to the Daily Herald. "Out of nowhere huge semis filled with National Guard, SWAT and the police rolled up. Soldiers came out of the bushes and rushed down to the party carrying M-16s, AK-47s, nightsticks and Tasers. They proceeded to attack random people and push their might around on people who had done nothing."
Partygoers and rave fans worldwide are circulating video footage through the Internet to support such claims -- while Tracy used the same clips to defend law enforcement.
"No excessive force was used," he said emphatically.
The SWAT personnel -- including teams from Utah County, Provo, the state Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety -- are always prepared with a wide arsenal of riot-fighting gear, including tear gas and canines, but Tracy said they did not use any such weapons Saturday night. The tactical gear is camouflaged similar to military fatigues, but neither the National Guard nor any other military was present.
Josh Witbeck, one of the security staff hired by organizers for the event, has interacted with police at several similar events during three years as a bouncer in Salt Lake-area nightclubs, but police hostility, like he said he observed Saturday night, is rare.
"I was trying to keep the crowds as calm as possible. I knew better than to interfere with the cops, but we all got treated pretty poorly," he said. "I'm not going to place all the blame on the police, but they treated every person here like a criminal."
Tracy said a primary issue was promoters did not obtain the mass gathering permit required by Utah County for events with more than 250 people. To do so would have required at least 30 days notice and approval from the sheriff's office. County officials acknowledged that organizers did receive a health permit regulating such aspects as portable toilets and on-site emergency medical personnel.
Brandon Fullmer, manager of the Uprock Records company that promoted the event, argues that he also obtained the mass gathering permit. He said authorities were denying him a copy of it for proof, but a county official agreed to write a letter verifying it.
"We were not there to start any problems," Fullmer said. "What the cops did was wrong."
Regardless, Utah County authorities defended the raid.
"That's all smoke and mirrors," said County Commissioner Steve White. "They were selling drugs. They were committing illegal acts, and as soon as that happened it doesn't matter what kind of permit they had."
So while Fullmer is consulting his attorney about a possible lawsuit, local law enforcement vow to crack down on the increasingly popular raves.
"There's a legal way to do this, and there's the illegal," Tracy said. "If young folks want to get together and listen to music and dance, we don't care if they go about it the legal way."
Tracy said they are monitoring the Internet, searching for fliers and dispatching helicopters on reconnaissance missions over Utah Valley to locate such gatherings before they expand to thousands of people -- beyond what law enforcement can control.
"If they're going to run one on a Wednesday night, we'll find it," he said. "We will ensure we find them and have them curtailed before they ever get to that point."
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.

[TeeYiYi]

81. kick

TYY:kick:

[ihaveaquestion]

84. Video report from local TV - contains police video, too.

http://kutv.com/video/?id=[e-mail]

Click on the video labeled "Partygoers May Sue..." (the other one doesn't seem to work).

[Cult]

86. At least the news is picking it up

Yay?