Editors note: the following is an exact copy of a letter we recieved dated January 8, 2001.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEARS!!
I will never forget the year 2000 in Halifax, actually my ears are still
ringing from the events of last year!! Personally, it was a year, that was
full circle, by returning back to Nova Scotia, after spending the last
twenty years of my life, following my dreams, and love of music. I
originally, left my hometown of Dartmouth, and hit the road out west , in
the late seventies. I went to school, and had gotten a musical education,
then worked in one capacity or another, in production for every major show
in Calgary, Alberta for over three years in the early eighties. Great
musical events that were exciting, and with the times. Working with groups
and people as diverse as, JJ Cale, David Bowie, Billy Idol, and legends like
Steve Ray Vaughan, The Moody Blues. Producing shows, and working with
musical personalities like Billy Idol, Roxy Music, Duran Duran, The Police.
I came to greatly appreciate, and acknowledge the culture of music and
speaking of police, well they were there to serve and protect. The people
involved, the energy and effort of team work, planning and producing great
musical events and shows, and living my dreams. Twenty years later, I return
to Nova Scotia, and my city of Dartmouth.. Ironically, I arrive to the
sounds of a new musical era, Rave. I am overwhelmed by this new age musical
social gathering, and very honoured to be working locations at the
Underground Dance Club in Halifax. Again, the experience, people involved,
the energy and effort of team work, planning and producing great musical
events and shows, living my dreams. But, it turned into a real nightmare!!
Maybe, it was the wild spirit of violinist, Ashley McIsaac, who walked off
stage at the Underground Dance Club, on New Years Eve 2000, not playing one
rational note. Or, the unfortunate tragic death of Edward James Bretton, at
another Halifax venue, from an Ecstasy overdose in September,1999. Rave, had
became controversy, and somehow the Underground Dance Club became, the dank
domain of controversy, and targeted scorn of the local police .
But regardless, and in no way can justify the actions, of the police force,
or legitimizes the storm troop tactics, applied by frustrated police, almost
a year ago. The execution of a search warrant, and the wholesale strip
search at a Halifax Rave, January 29,2000,of 34 innocent individuals, based
on the smell of marijuana. I must express in utter disbelieve, the fact that
this incident had ever taken place, and was a first in my twenty year of
creative musical events. But, even more disturbing, was the other victims
that night, witnessing the violation of creativity and youth impeded..The
gross violation of civil rights, by the police authorities, and individual
humiliation of a body search, and the intrusion on the God given right, to
be creative and unique, is even more degrading.
Needless to say, I left Halifax shortly afterwards, in disbelief of what
really happened to us that night. Personally, my new years resolution is to
let the world know about what really happened in Halifax, and gather
international support, and denounce the uncivilised actions of local police.
What truly is at risk here, is the violation of creativity in a modern
culture, the free liberties of people to express themselves through music,
and the right to assembly. Updating, recent conversations with Mr. Walter
Thompson of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, on January 4, 2001 are
as follows: "The Police commission has a New PR man, to handle the
complaints."punitively he asked, "What terms would we would settle on." The
reply was stated, "we are not wishing to punish anyone, and, an apology will
do, or an acknowledgement, that the strip search was wrong."Mr. Police
Commission PR man says, "he does not think that this will be
forthcoming".Mr. Walter Thompson replies, "Fine..... lets have a hearing".
How the police handle the upcoming court case, should be the highlight for
the year 2001,or 2002 when ever they get around to it. Dear, Halifax, again
Happy New Year !! The world will be watching, how the Nova Scotia Police
Commission, stands up for accountability, and justifies the actions of the
joint forces, of the R.C.M.P and the Halifax City Police, against 34
innocent individuals at a musical event. Hopefully, if we do get an apology,
my ears, might stop ringing!!
Concerned citizen
Click here to read another citizen's reaction to this letter
Click here to read the initial letter
Please feel free to contact me at
hugounderground@hotmail.com, with a reply
or answer or for more legal information, Mr. J. Walter Thompson
1-902-429-7772 of the Nova Scotia Chapter of
the CANADIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES ASSOCIATION
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