Lawmaker wants to outlaw rave concerts at public venues

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Citing deaths and injuries connected to raves held in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, a state lawmaker proposed Wednesday to outlaw the events at publicly owned venues in California.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation that would prohibit the dance concerts on public property and prevent raves on private property unless a business owner has a license to host such an event.

“Raves foster an environment that threatens the health and safety of our youth,” Ma said. “The introduction of AB 74 is the first step toward eliminating these dangerous events.”

The assemblywoman cited problems at raves including one held in June at the Los Angeles Coliseum. A high school student, Sasha Rodriguez, died days after falling into a coma after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival. Ma said 120 people required medical treatment after attending the event, and she blamed many of the problems on drugs used by those in attendance.

In May, two people died after overdosing at a rave held at the state-owned Cow Palace in Daly City and an additional five attendees were hospitalized in critical condition, Ma said.

“The bill is not intended to impact traditional music concerts and sporting events,’ the assemblywoman said. ‘AB 74 is about cracking down on raves that harbor drug use and lead to teenage deaths.”

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission voted earlier this month to require rave promoters to come before the panel for approval at least 60 days in advance of an event.

-- Patrick McGreevy