Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jul 2001
Source: The Herald-Sun (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Associated Press

MICH. POLICE RAID STAGED RAVE PARTY

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Police raided a rave party that was staged for an 
amateur movie, making three drug-related arrests and charging the filmmaker 
and two others with operating an illegal business.

Tyler Blair, an honors student at Michigan State University, said he was 
trying to organize a large but well-controlled party to serve as a spoof of 
rave culture for a film, "E-tards."

The title is a term for users of Ecstasy, an illicit drug that has come to 
be associated with raves, the all-night parties featuring techno music and 
dancing.

Blair said he tried to make sure the party Friday was within the law and 
notified police beforehand about his filming plans.

But police became suspicious and raided the party, which was held at the 
home of one of Blair's friends.

"I guess I gave them everything they needed to arrest us," Blair said.

Blair said neither he nor anyone who lives at the house knew the people 
arrested for drug possession.
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