There is great news to report in the fight to Protect Live Music. As you may know, the Drug Policy Alliance spent 2004 battling against the CLEAN-UP Act in Congress. While there was much in this bill we liked – it provided funding for safe cleaning of illegal methamphetamine laboratories – we opposed a key provision that would have punished nightclub owners and music promoters for their customers' drug use. Earlier this month, a new version of the CLEAN-UP Act was introduced (HR 13). We’re thrilled to say this new bill does NOT contain the controversial provision. This is an enormous victory for the Alliance; live music fans across the country; musicians, club owners and activists; and the Protect Live Music campaign.

In 2004, our supporters used our website to circulate petitions in opposition to the bill, called and wrote their members of Congress, and held protests across the country. The coordinated work of Alliance staff and supporters was clearly being felt not just on Capitol Hill but across the country. This helped stall the CLEAN-UP Act in committee. Our media efforts were successful as well, with the Act’s anti-music provision often being slapped with the dreaded “controversial” label in press reports. A staffer for the Congressman who introduced the bill privately told the Alliance they regretted even including the provision in the CLEAN-UP Act. Now, the new version doesn’t contain the provision at all!

“We’re grateful for the thousands of supporters who took action against the CLEAN-UP Act through our website and in live protests last year,” said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Alliance. “This is an enormous victory for all of us. Of course, it’s possible that this provision or something like it will surface again in other legislation. We’re on the lookout for it and will keep people informed. In the meantime, we encourage our supporters to celebrate this important victory.”