Stop complaining about everyone else. What about yourself? Are you treating others the way
you want to be treated? That is the only route toward the positivity that will unite us all. Don't
be afraid! Fear is the source of all our conflicts and aggressions. The next time someone gives
you a hard look, understand that they are still captive to their fears like you once were. Don't
resort to a negative response because that will only create more negativity. Smile! Let the goodwill
within you flow! Maybe your strength and love will give them the courage to open themselves, and
they will follow the new direction. It is all up to you...
-tito.

Yeah? So what's the problem?

It is becoming more and more difficult to continue our cultural phenomenon known as the "Rave
Movement." The reason that raving is more difficult is because raves and even smaller parties
are being shut down by the police and other authorities at an alarming rate. Apart from DJs,
sound and lights, in order to throw a successful event you need secure locations,
permits/permission and insurance. With any of these ingredients missing there is a strong chance
that the event will not get off the ground.

In order to get these ingredients we must go to people outside of the rave community... the public.

It is the public that formulates opinions about us as ravers. Most times it is public opinion that
keeps a landowner from granting us on his property... that keeps an insurance company from
providing a necessary policy... that keeps civil agencies from issuing a permit that makes an
event legal and "unbustable."

The police are not shutting us down because of a giant conspiracy against ravers, raving and living
life to its' fullest...

They are shutting us down because of our own...
selfishness, carelessness, & ignorance

If we rid ourselves of these anchors, our public image will greatly improve and our fragile
movement will surely flourish.

SELFISHNESS IS OVERCOME BY RESPECT

RESPECTING THE PUBLICS' OPINION OF RAVERS

Noise- Noise is a very big problem in most residential areas and is often the reason for shut-downs.
Please be as quiet as possible going to site. Playing car radios loud, horn honking, screeching tires
and yelling can be louder than the sound system enclosed in the venue. Loitering around in the
parking area is illegal and only draws unwanted attention to the party. As you're walking to the
door remember that you are only moments away from being able to make as much noise as you want!!

Fireworks- Although cool to see, fireworks are a reason for instant shut-downs. We all know about
the danger of fires. Enough said. Additionally, the loud explosions can be misconstrued as gun-shots
which will get the police to the location faster than anything.

Guns and Violence- Neither of these belong at a rave. It is our non-violent nature that sets us apart...
makes us better than than the rock and rap scenes. Hopefully, a positive rave experience will change
the life of a violent natured person.

RESPECTING EVENT FACILITIES AND THE DESERT

Parking- Park only where it is permitted and, once again, don't hang out in the parking lot or on
the streets. Don't throw trash and flyers on the ground. Keep as low a profile as possible.

Tagging- We lose locations because of tagging more than anything else. Tagging simply tells the
landlord that we don't have any respect for him or his property even though it is the landlord that
has been so kind to share his property with us. Tagging makes insurance rates climb. If you see
someone tagging, explain to them that they are keeping you from being able to rave in SF. Ask them
if they want to continue to rave... then ask them to please stop. Make sure everyone in the area hears
you so that they also become involved in making the tagger stop.

Trash- Many times the property owner is shocked by the trash left in the facility, especially
bathrooms. It only takes a few seconds to find a trash can... a very worthwhile investment of your
time. Trash and especially flyers should NEVER be dropped outdoors. The wind can blow them away
and where they will never be found... except perhaps by a park ranger or other authority figure. It
is very difficult to say "that trash was already there when we got here" when the trash is a bunch of
rave flyers. Gum, candy and cig butts can be just as incriminating.

RESPECT FOR OTHER RAVERS

Aggression/Violence- Part of the attraction of a rave is that it can be a place to escape the craziness
of the rest of the world. Leave your personal problems at the door... don't bring them into the
celebration. Alcohol often brings about aggressive behavior as well.

Blatant Selfishness- This not only kills "the vibe" but it breaks us apart, making it difficult
to band together to help our movement as a whole. A prime example of this is blatant nitrous usage.
People sucking on balloons must know that they are jeopardizing EVERYONE'S right to rave and
yet they continue to do it. Their short-term high becomes more important than the future of raving
itself. This kind of selfishness will certainly kill our future. PLEASE DON'T BRING NITROUS TO
RAVES... leave it at home where it won't be a selfish act that discredits all of us.

CARELESSNESS IS OVERCOME THROUGH ACCOUNTABILITY

Driving safely- There is nothing wrong with being too messed up or too tired to drive home... unless of
course you try to drive anyway. Ask a more sober friend from your accountability group to drive or
wait until someone is able to drive. Coffee and other stimulants won''t do the trick.. Take your time so
you and your friends can rave again another day!

Dealing with the wrong people- Who are the wrong people? Unscrupulous drug dealers are just as
problematic as undercover drug enforcement agents. If you think getting something "bunk" is a
problem.... think about how bad it would be if you bought something poisonous or lethal! This is
becoming a bigger and bigger problem as drug manufacturers are finding cheaper ways to make
money. Most of them aren't chemists and don't bother testing their new batch... you may become a
"test subject" for an unknown substance. The media and law enforcement agencies are infiltrating
our masses to collect information to use against us at a later time. You can never know who is who...
so be careful. Know who you're dealing with.

Loitering outside of the venue- This only draws attention to the event and makes police curious enough
to "investigate." Loitering also makes it more difficult to patrol a parking area to look for people
breaking into cars or doing other selfish activities that hurt individual ravers and hurt the scene overall.
When you're walking through a parking lot and you see people standing around ask them to please go
inside... but explain to them why it is important for them to help in this regard.

Acting safely/Acting responsibly- This is a broad area that has too many specific "infractions."
Every once in a while just ask yourself (and the people you''re accountable for) these questions...

What am I doing?
Am I directly/indirectly harming myself or other ravers?
Am I keeping someone else from having a great time?
Am I helping build a positive public image about the rave scene?

IGNORANCE IS OVERCOME THROUGH COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION

Know what you're talking about- Rumors and misinformation are splitting us apart. Know the facts about
the realreasons for "busts"... or the dangers of certain substances. Don't let yourself be used as a tool
for a promoters personal gain... or mouthpiece for fabricated drug hysteria.

Know what you're taking- We've already discussed unscrupulous drug dealers. Don't combine lots of
different drugs! There are combinations of substances that can quickly become lethal. In fact, more
drug related casualties are due to lethal combinations of drugs and alcohol than overdosing!

Let the DJ do the mixing!

Know your limit- Your accountability group can help you with this. Be careful trying to "bump" your
dosage. Always let someone know exactly how much of what your taking BEFORE you take it.

Know the law- Get to know the specific legalities of possessing controlled substances.
Know the consequences if you're busted and ask yourself if it is worth the risk.

Know how to handle yourself with the police- Be cooperative but also know your rights regarding search
and seizure laws (especially in searching a vehicle). Avoid dragging down the rave scene with you. Don't
even mention raves if you have a run in with officers. Be afraid of the seriousness of the consequences
but don't let yourself be intimidated to the point that you incriminate yourself.

Know what to do in case of an emergency- This is a very important area if we wish to police ourselves
at raves. In case of an overdose or other drug related medical trauma follow these steps before
calling an ambulance.