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Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert

By Jeralyn, Section Misconduct
Posted on Mon Aug 22, 2005 at 09:28:31 AM EST
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It's events like this that make me wonder whether this country has gone completely mad in its perverse love affair with law and order. Read what happened at a rave concert in Utah as told by a Daily Kos diarist who was on stage playing in the band when it happened- "Helicopters, assault rifles, tear gas, camoflauge-wearing soldiers.... why? Was that really necessary?" He says the event was entirely legal and every permit had been obtained.

And if you have a blog, please publicize the Utah event. When the cops start acting like terrorists to attack our kids, it's time to say enough.

Some snippets:

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...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.

Then came helicopters, cops with assault rifles dressed in camoflauge and dogs:

A few "troops" rushed the stage and cut the sound off and started yelling that everyone "get the f*ck 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 f*cking TEAR GAS is launched into the crowd. People are running and screaming at this point. Girls are crying, guys are cussing... bad scene.

Here's what others witnessed:

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 Daily Kos diarist says It was a legal event.

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.

The lawsuits already are being filed:

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.

p.s. - there are more stories of police brutality that i'll post up later. gotta hit the airport soon. can't wait to get the f*ck out of this sh*t hole state.

Here's the Sheriff's statement of what happened. He says there was no permit and rave concerts present a danger to kids.

Utah County Major Crimes was contacted to assist with undercover surveillance. Both local and state SWAT teams were called in to control the crowds ( Utah County Metro SWAT, Utah Department of Corrections out of Salt Lake and Gunnison, Department of Public Safety and their helicopter and Provo SWAT) approximately 90 law enforcement personnel combined.

At 9 pm the Rave party began and by 10 pm Major Crimes observed numerous illegal activities. Which included illegal use of drugs, distribution of drugs, and underage consumption of alcohol.

It was verified that more than 250 individuals were at the party, in violation or county statutes and by 11:30 pm law enforcement personnel moved in to curtail and disburse the party. During this process at least 60 arrests were made for weapons offenses, DUI, illegal underage consumption of alcohol, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy, distribution of ecstasy, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, and disorderly conduct.

He says the rave was in violation of county statutes. But, go back to the Daily Kos diarist's account:

...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 f*ck out of here right now."

Some video is here and here.

On a related note, use of swat teams isn't being reserved for rave concerts. Our local news reports today that they have been on hand in Boulder when students returned this week. My sentiments about that are here.

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    Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert | 60 comments (60 topical)
    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#1)
    by Andreas on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:35 PM EST
    This should be seen in combination with preparations for martial law. As the WSWS wrote less than two weeks ago:
    the American working class faces the danger of some form of military-police dictatorship in the United States.
    Pentagon devising scenarios for martial law in US By Patrick Martin, 9 August 2005

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#2)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:35 PM EST
    Needless to say they were not really soldiers. I would guess deputies dressed in camo.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#3)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    WTF dogs in camouflage???? Send em to ayrak where they can do all the bullying they want. Fascists ...Orrin Hatch must be pleased. At the RCN convention in NYC the legal protesters were directed by the police to keep moving along a described path only to find themselves trapped in a cul de sac where they were all arrested. Bloomberg and Pataki were pleased.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#4)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    WTF dogs in camouflage????
    Haw. I read it the same way, Squeak. I think what was intended was "men in camoflage with guns and dogs..." not "men with guns and dogs in camoflage..."

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ben Masel on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Flaw in the Utah County Large Assembly ordinance from the Ordinance... 13-4-2-1. Required. No person shall permit, maintain, promote, conduct, advertise, act as entrepreneur, undertake, organize, manage, or sell or give tickets to an actual or reasonably anticipated assembly of two hundred fifty or more people which continues or can reasonably be expected to continue for twelve (12) or more consecutive hours, whether on public or private property unless a license to hold the assembly has first been issued by the County Commissioners. To get the license, you must first contract Porta-potties, dumpsters, medical professionals, etc. All of which come under "promote, conduct, advertise, act as entrepreneur, undertake, organize, manage." So in order to get a permit under the ordinance, you must first violate the ordinance. We won a facial challenge to the nearly identical Sauk County, WI Mass Gathering Ordinance last year, on appeal after they jackbooted on the Weedstock festival in 2000. ruling. Just recently settled with the County for damages and fees.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    I just changed the dog/camoflauge sentence - it was inartfully stated, the cops were in camoflauge and had dogs with them. Sorry about that.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    This makes sense. Cause you know there is no bigger threat to our freedom then a bunch of kids waving glow sticks, sucking on pacifiers, and dancing the night away. I guess they should be more like our president an just do a bunch of coke. B

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    So much for our right to peacably assemble, hey gang? This country is dead, and has been dead for sometime. Freedom reduced to a shadow, a memory.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#9)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Legal concert? I somehow think I'm inclined to believe they did not have all the permits they needed. I dunno, call me crazy.
    So much for our right to peacably assemble, hey gang?
    Right you are, assemble, do drugs, get raped...Hey how come prison rape is such a big deal here, but venues that cater to the rape of a females unable to consent due to intoxication get a free pass? Strange priorities I guess.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#10)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Wow... Words fail me. Freedom is slowly leaving...

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#11)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Legal concert? I somehow think I'm inclined to believe they did not have all the permits they needed. I dunno, call me crazy.
    So much for our right to peacably assemble, hey gang?
    Right you are, assemble, do drugs, get raped...Hey how come prison rape is such a big deal here, but venues that cater to the rape of a females unable to consent due to intoxication get a free pass? Strange priorities I guess.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Did I miss something Pat? The stormtroopers were looking for a wanted rapist? Who got raped? Maybe you misread "rave" as "rape"? Or are you referring to the prison rape that is sure to happen to some of the non-violent drug offenders that got pinched? The sheriff's vague references to sexual assault don't impress me, if that was his concern he'd be raiding every corner tavern as alcohol is the number one date rape drug. Even a law and order guy like you should be able to admit that a raid such as this is madness. Drugs and booze at a concert....shocking!!! Call in the dogs, sick 'em on the kids!!! Don't forget the tear gas, it's a war!!! Massive tyrannical overkill, I hope some parents get together and sue the pants off the sheriffs dept. for endangering their children's lives.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Plus, if you're so worried about sex assault maybe you should go check out the Mormon guy (I know not all Mormons) down the road who has 4 wives, 2 of which he married at 14. B

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#14)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Oh yeah, Patrick, it's all about protecting women from getting drunk and having sex. That's why you always see the SWAT teams busting into every single bar every night. Oh, wait, you don't see that. So don't goose-step so high. Thanks.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#15)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    WTF cops with assault rifles dressed in camouflage and dogs. Sounds insane. Why camouflage and assault rifles? Were they looking for Osama? Nice touch that security was arrested for the drugs they confiscated.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#16)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    I'd kinda like to know just who they were serving and protecting by threatening to kill people? At least that's what I infer when some c**ks***er puts a gun to the promoter's head. Beating and kicking people for their own protection. Sounds logical.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#17)
    by peacrevol on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Right you are, assemble, do drugs, get raped...Hey how come prison rape is such a big deal here, but venues that cater to the rape of a females unable to consent due to intoxication get a free pass? Strange priorities I guess.
    Sorry Pat....I've got to point out that you are sort of missing the point here. They had security guards hired here to try to keep this sort of thing from happenning...probably lax on the drugs...but looking out for the violent crimes. If the permit was not obtained, why didnt they contact them before raiding the party and tell them that it wont happen w/o the permits. There were a million different ways to handle this that would have been much better than sending in SWAT and dogs and tear gas. That's the kind of stuff you're only supposed to use on enemies...Or...is the enemy of the police force its own people in this case? What about the people there not doing drugs or raping anyone or holding weapons, etc but just enjoying themselves? They got some teargas too. They also were chased by these dogs. That's just not right. You dont endanger your own innocent people like that to break up a party. That's absolutely rediculous.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#18)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Public law clearly states that there will be no having fun in Utah. Period. Ummm...except if you are a fascist cop out to bust some heads heh heh. Maybe they should change the name of the state to Patrickland?

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#19)
    by peacrevol on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Using excessive force like this is what turns people away from its law enforcement. Next time those kids might bring guns to the rave and then what a mess we'll have on our hands huh? You can only treat people like $&!t for so long before they start to fight back. That's not a situation that we need to provoke in any way.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#20)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Pat-Sounds like you wish you were there, wearing camouflage, and gassing those drugged out hippie rapists. Maybe you were?

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#21)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:36 PM EST
    Peace,
    They had security guards hired here to try to keep this sort of thing from happenning...
    My experience with these things is they can frequently get out hand, thus endangering those innocents present. Take your choice. This is another example of the no-win situation cops are frequently placed in, so I don't take the criticism's too seriously. No one posting here was there in an independent observer roll. I'm inclined to believe the "teargas" was probably pepper spray, the dogs were in cars or walking the perimeter with the handlers, and well you can guess the rest. I'll go this far...If everything was exactly as reported by, what I would consider to be biased witnesses, then the cops went too far. I think what we'll find is there are two very different versions of events and the truth lies somewhere in between, and more likely than not closer the cops version. Squeaky, Maybe I was, were you? Ernesto, Patrickland would be a helluva place.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#22)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Pat-was not there. Check out the video. The dogs were not in the cars or perimeter. Why are you so apologetic for the police. Do you believe that reports of police violence is usually exaggerated? My experience is that is is usually underreported.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#23)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Squeaky, Yes I do...but that depends on how you define it. I'm "so apologetic" cause I is one, and I believe the people on this site are biased against the police (Which makes it fun for me to come here) and over-report/embellish their reports of misconduct. Are cops blameless? No, not at all, but when all someone does is run them down, they lose their credibility even when they report legitimate misconduct. BTW, video link is not working for me, so if you say so. But that does not necessarily change my POV.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#24)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Pat-Having power means having responsibility. Often, I have seen a bad mix of power and unaccountability. I am glad that you come to a site that may not reflect your views. My hope is that instead of developing increased contempt for the public you are increasing your wellspring of compassion.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#25)
    by pigwiggle on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    I’m glad someone finally took the initiative and kicked the crap out of a bunch of high kids. After all, it was only a mater of time before the dancing got out of hand and the crime spree began. Right? Anyway, this was just miles from my home so I’ll be sleeping easy tonight without this to worry about.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#26)
    by pigwiggle on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Worrying about all the kids dancing that is … you know, high and all. Serious business, that.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#27)
    by jen on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Assault rifles and camoflage? soldier wanabees? pepper spray and/or teargas? for a rave? I wonder about the sanity of that sherrif.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Maybe I'm lookig at this all wrong, think of all the rapes the sheriff prevented! All the girls who got pepper sprayed are surely grateful. I'm sure all the kids learned raving is wrong and drugs are bad and police dogs are your friends and machine guns are tools of the righteous. Surely none will rave again, at least till next weekend:)

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Yes, dancing and loud music is really such a bad thing that cops dressed in soldier attire are used to shut it down. Welcome to the United States of painfully boring, where correct entertainment consists of reading the old testament aloud to your chastity belt clad children and engaging in the time honored tradition of emperor worship in the form of prostrating one's self at the foot of Bush. It's no wonder kids in this country are so violent, they've got nothing else to do, and no other way to blow off any steam.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#30)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    In order to save the concert, it became necessary to destroy it.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#31)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Well, I just watched the video that Patrick was conveniently unable to see. Yeah, these cops seemed like they were really looking out for teenage girls, going up to the DJ of all people spouting freedom-talk like "shut it down or I'm taking your a** to jail." Tackling kids and holding them at gunpoint. It's too bad you're the only one who can't view the video, Patrick, because it seems to contradict everything you say about how this was all tough love.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#32)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Oh, and I forgot the universal signal that a cop feels he's within the bounds of good taste and law: "Put the camera down NOW."

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#33)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Cops never lie. And they deserve our praise even if they do. They only live to serve us in our time of need ... in LA, Miami, New york, New Orleans, London ... but of course I come here not to bury cops, but to praise them.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#34)
    by terry on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    Will the authorities provide us with a list of which types of music are acceptable and which types warrant a para-military raid? In the 1930's only jazz performances would get this type of attention.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#35)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:37 PM EST
    We should stop b*****ing about Bali. At least there's no evidence they committed violent acts against a non violent alleged drug smuggler. From Patrick: I somehow think I'm inclined to believe... My experience with these things is they can frequently get out hand, thus endangering those innocents present. Yeah that's a real concrete justification there. So well-armed pigs should kick the S**t out of innocent people, and you justify this violence against these kids a by saying you think they might have caused some trouble. You popo's are all the same. An overcompensating bunch of small d***ed cowards. This isn't over.

    Re: Utah: Ravers Attacked by Cops at Legal Concert (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02