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Britain Introduces Anti-Rave Thought Crime Legislation

Author: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
Monday, February 2, 2004
UK authorities introduced new laws this week making it a criminal offence to go, or even prepare to go to a rave, within 24 hours of being stopped from visiting another one.

The government also amended their infamous 1994 Criminal Justice Act definition of 'rave', keeping the notorious 'repetitive beats' clause while reducing the number of partygoers from 100 to 20 and making indoor squat parties also illegal. Curiously, indoor parties become raves only if the building is trespassed, while any outdoor party with more than 20 guests (including on private land) can now be classed as a rave.

Liberty spokesperson Barry Hugill condemned the new laws, including another stating that just two people can now constitute a 'public assembly', telling the Big Issue 'this is totally unacceptable, it should only be a crime to commit a crime."

"The government is introducing constraints and no-go areas the like of which haven't existed since wartime," Mr Hugill added.

Anti-social Behaviour Act: 'Powers are unchanged with the addition of a further offence of making preparations for or attending a gathering subject to a direction within 24 hours of the direction . . .'

A 'rave' is defined as a gathering of 100+ people, at which amplified music ('wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats'[!) is played . . .; 1994's original anti-rave law.
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