ACLU CHALLENGES BAN ON 'RAVE' ITEMS

NEW ORLEANS -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Tuesday
challenging a ban on items at "rave" dance parties that prosecutors say are
used to enhance the effects of the popular club drug Ecstasy.

Organizers of a rave in New Orleans had agreed to the ban on glow sticks,
pacifiers, masks and vapor rubs under a plea bargain with federal prosecutors.

"It's a form of behavior control because they feel these people might do
something illegal if they posses these items," said Joe Cook, director of
Louisiana's ACLU chapter. "Maybe next they'll ban dancing since people
often dance while on drugs. That's the absurdity we're dealing with."

Acting U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said he had yet to review the lawsuit. But
he said a third party intervening in a criminal plea agreement is highly
unusual.

"We were cognizant of the legitimate Constitutional rights of individuals
but also had to consider the welfare, health and safety of the citizens and
had to strike a balance of various factors in reaching that decision,"
Letten said.

Investigators have linked the raves held since 1995 at the State Palace
Theater to numerous drug overdoses and the 1998 death of a 17-year-old girl.

The ACLU's complaint was filed Tuesday on behalf of the electronic band
Rabbit in the Moon -- which is scheduled to perform here Friday and whose
stage costumes incorporate glowing necklaces _ and several people who had
items confiscated at a rave on Aug. 4.

The lawsuit asks for a ruling before Friday's rave.