Mayor Backtracks On Miami Conference Festival Ban

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz removed his opposition to Winter Conference's flagship event the Ultra Electronic Music Festival this week, after the event's organisers agreed to double the number of police and ban dummies and lollipops from next weekend's festival.

The mayor suddenly tried to cancel Ultra earlier this week, issuing a statement which claimed 'Ultra is a music dance party that attracts upwards of 30,000 people (at which) at least half consume illegal drugs and a significant portion of participants are kids under the age of 18."

Ultra promoters immediately challenged the Mayor's claims, and after hiring an influential associate of the mayor's, lobbyist Rodney Barreto, succeeded in changing his mind. However, the increased security costs (70 undercover officers will now be in attendance instead of 36) mean the promoters stand to lose over $100,000, the Miami Herald reported.

The Ultra Festival is the biggest event at Miami's Winter Conference and features a line-up including Paul Oakenfold,, Pete Tong and Underworld Live. The mayor's intervention came as authorities throughout the US appear intent on destroying nightlife, which could have devastating implications for the future of America's electronic music industry. DEA chief Asa Hutchinson also announced in November that his drug organisation were to double so called 'club drug investigations' with special attention being focused on Southern Florida, meaning this year's conference is likely to come under its greatest scrutiny yet.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/jim_defede/5362147.htm


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