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Organisers, DJs, and attendees who have gathered to dance at an event billed as Marseille’s “final rave” have experessed concern at the recently announced crackdown on “frees” – or unauthorised parties – by French lawmakers.
The bill calls for up to six months in prison and a €30,000 fine for organisers of gatherings of more than 250 people, as well as heavy financial penalties for participants. Indeed, if adopted by the Senate, the bill provides for a fine of €1,500 for participants, rising to €3,000 in the event of a repeat offence.
Event organiser Sacha says he thinks they are being misunderstood by lawmakers.
“I think that if they (lawmakers) had been with us, they might have a different idea of what this scene is and of the possibilities it opens up”, he says.
Authorities have frequently cited public safety concerns, environmental damage and lack of permits. However, organisations such as Technopol, who defend electronic music, argue that a “policy that criminalises and represses free parties so violently” is “not about security” but about “authoritarianism”.
Check the video above for footage of Marseille’s “final rave”.