Fusion Festival even gets harrassment

[clusterone]

damn it would have been fun to be their stickin it to the man for this one!!!


copied from the fusionfestival homepage:
FUSION 2002

"You have 2 fight... for your right... to pa-a-arty"
Beasty Boys

In our case we had to stand up for our right to come together and celebrate as a community.

We would like to thank all the brave and open minded individuals who braved the lies and scare tactics used by the various government agencies who illegally blocked the roads to the national forest, illegally profiled and harassed people on the way up to the land. In spite of all of this, It was your energy and dedication in the face of adversity that made this Fusion the best celebration yet. The energy and love everyone showed on Friday night and Saturday during the day, in light of the fact that we didn't have any amplified sound was amazing. It was nice to see people bonding and communicating with each other (something we feel is missing at most celebrations).

On Saturday, after a lot of phone calls and consultations with lawyers and ministers, we held a closing ceremony and had everyone walk off of the property together. There were about 400 - 500 people. One by one we had them lineup and sign a document allowing each person to join the Sacred Dance Society a religious organization that allows it's members to express their spirituality through amplified electronic dance music. The document empowered its members to explore their own spirituality through freedom and dance.

It was the most powerful experience seeing around 400-500 people charging the dance floor from every direction screaming and then dancing like every song would be the last till the sunrise.

Our condolences to everyone who turned around and didn't attempt to make it to the festivities due to the misinformation and scare tactics used by Lake and Mendocino County officials in the form of attempting to block access to a public road and placing signs on the road that gave the impression that the celebration was canceled.

This past event was a test in our continued struggle to protect our basic rights as individuals to celebrate life. The location we gathered on was permitted to have cultural events and camping, which is what we where doing. Local and state enforcement agencies tried to kick us off the land, which was private property. It took us going to the planning department in Lakeport and lawyers to assert our rights to stay there.

We were gathering to raise money for the Tloque-Nauaque Teocalli and their school the Six Suns of Calmecac, the owners of the land who bring inner city
troubled youth to their land and give the youth a chance to have another perspective on life outside of gangs. The Tloque-Nauaque Teocalli conduct sweats with the youth, give them a chance to learn how to live in harmony with each other, the earth, and themselves. All the donations that were not used for covering our expenses for the celebration went to this cause.

We are asking all people who felt intimidated or harassed in any way on the way to Fusion to please email us with a detailed description of what happened. It is possible that we may have a class action lawsuit against Lake and Mendocino counties and all agencies that where involved in suppressing our rights to come together. If you feel you would like to be a part of this process in having your money returned to you through these possible channels please contact us.

Each year we put a lot of energy and dedication to make Fusion happen with no reward or profit other then the joy of brining free people together. We will continue to do this!

In the future you will need to be a member to know anything about our gatherings. We ask all of you who would like to become a member to contact us now.

Thank you all for your continued support.



Sincerely,
Fusion Staff