Rave parties at Tampa, Fla. dance clubs are out, at least for now. They are the victims of a new city ordinance which forces dance clubs to lock up for the night at 3 a.m. That's when the rave parties have traditionally begun. \n Club owners are not taking this latest regulation lying down. Lawyers representing six companies and two individuals filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new Tampa ordinance and asking that they be allowed to do business into the morning hours. The new law is a violation of free expression, association and assembly, the suit argues. \n The problem appears to be a difference in the perception of the rave parties. According to the court challenge, rave party participants are merely there to enjoy the common, timeless and immemorial messages of exuberance, stamina, rebellion and societal nonconformity. Enforcement of the law will put the dance clubs out of business, said Luke Lirot, their lawyer. The city should have regulated the businesses by requiring them to be licensed, not by imposing shorter hours, he said. \n According to supporters of the law, the rave parties are a center for drug usage and a marketplace for the sale of drugs. The city anticipated a legal challenge and is prepared to defend the ordinance, said a city councilman who sponsored the measure. \n The ordinance took effect July 16. According to an Associated Press report, Curtis Dambeck, closed his club at the time and is hoping for a quick decision that will allow him to reopen.
All models were at least 18 years old at the time of their performance. 18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement.
