Dear Friends,

January 12th was a sad day for many in the dance and events communities. A talented promoter, and friend to many, Disco Donnie in New Orleans was indicted along with Managers of the State Palace Theater on Federal charges. This is a letter appealing to you for support as Donnie, Robert and Brian take a brave stand against a precedent setting attack on culture presenters in the US.

Please forward this e-mail to friends.

Live music events, and raves in particular, have long been the subject of discriminatory legal enforcement. Never before have the potential consequences of these attacks carried such significant ramifications for the scene. The DEA and local law enforcement have used an unprecedented tactic of arresting the promoters and venue management for alleged drug use by patrons. By singling out electronic music events, the DEA has threatened the viability of the electronic music industry, and community.

We are very fortunate that Robert, Brian and Donnie will challenge these charges, preventing a national precedent from taking place. Considering the possible consequences - up to 20 years in prison and fines of $500,000 each - these men are taking a brave stand, defending our community in the process.

You are being invited to help raise funds for what is likely to be an expensive legal defense. Law enforcement officials around the country have commented that they are watching this case with a scrutinous eye to determine whether they can use the same tactic to close electronic music events in their jurisdiction. In other words, the prosecutors in this case will be given extensive financial resources.

This effort appears to be a further step in the escalating attack against the Electronic Music industry. EMDEF is being established to help the defendants in New Orleans and to prepare for future legal defense efforts.

The Electronic Music Defense and Education Fund (EMDEF) is appealing to you for support. EMDEF will be assisting Donnie, Robert and Brian financially so they will have access to a top team of defense attorneys. The fund will protect other professionals as new cases arise. Please donate what you can. This is a new fund, and will rely on your support to assist Robert, Brian and Donnie. The New Orleans trial may cost as much as $500,000. The full text of our press release follows.

Please DONATE and READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE at WWW.EMDEF.ORG.

This is the beginning of a slippery slope, imagine any event that the government does not like being shut down, because some in attendence may be using drugs! Again, please forward this e-mail to your friends. In unity, we can defend the rights of our community, and our rights as Americans.
Warmly,
Susan Mainzer
EMDEF Fundraising & Media Relations

>> Back to dallasdancemusic.com NEWS<<