Jenna Jameson says she will launch a referendum effort to overturn a newly passed ordinance that would effectively put her out of the cabaret business.
The City Council in Scottsdale, Ariz., last night enacted a revision to the city's Sexually Oriented Business laws that require dancers to stay four feet away from club patrons and outlaws all nude dancing.
Jameson said, “We are outraged that Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross and the City Council have enacted an ordinance that will effectively put our law-abiding and tax-paying cabaret out of business. They have created unfair and uncompromising rules governing the distance dancers have to be from cabaret patrons. This distance restriction will not be feasible within the small constraints of my cabaret Babe’s, and would force me to shut down. This action was taken despite the fact that the dances the girls provide for customers are protected by our First Amendment rights under Freedom of Expression.
“I believe this would not have become an issue if I hadn’t invested in the club. The mayor and her council members used my fame to generate publicity that panders to the religious right wing, without regard to the rights of the majority of our citizens who simply want to enjoy adult entertainment. The mayor and council are clearly set in their ultra conservative ways and out of touch with what the people want.
She continued, "I plan to redouble my efforts to make sure everyone realizes the implications of their action. I have instructed our lawyers to begin a referendum action to recall this absurd ordinance, which was drafted by a hired gun from Tennessee named Scott Bergthold who has made it is business to take away freedoms of expression and choice for consenting adults. I understand that this religious zealot gets paid to create situations like this, ones that will require lawsuits, and then he personally benefits by consulting or representing the city in resulting legal actions. We want to give the people of Scottsdale a voice in this matter, and the referendum will provide that opportunity.”
Jameson said that as a first step she would create a new website (www.jennafightsforfreedom.com) that will give people comprehensive information on the referendum campaign and act as a clearing house to hear opinions on this issue.
