Smut Peddling "Heathens"

Thanks to the Alibi for a great Spring Crawl! I do, however, have a question and complaint.

Two friends and I were talking in the street after closing time when we were told by a mounted police officer to go home. I acknowledged the order, but continued talking with my friends. The order and acknowledgement was repeated. The officers then turned four horses towards us, with the clear intent to intimidate and physically push us. At least 25 officers (conservative estimate) who were gathered some distance behind us, began to approach. The officers threatened forcible removal and arrest. At this point, I raised my hands, turned around and walked through the gang of cops and away from the area: I have a DOE security clearance, and any involvement with law enforcement will cause me a great deal of grief.

So, my question: Is there a city/county/state/federal law which prohibits me from standing in the street at such hours? Is there a curfew?

I’m glad there is a strong police presence at events such as the Spring Crawl. There is ample opportunity for the mixture of alcohol, rowdy music and youth to cause things to get out of hand. But I feel it is my civil right to stand on a public street and quietly converse with my friends at any hour, at any location. I can also understand how law enforcement may want to clear the streets after such an event. But I feel that law enforcement has an obligation to maintain a presence until any threat has dissipated, and I don’t believe they have the right to clear an area for either their own amusement or so that they can all get home at a decent hour.

This event has an obvious relationship to the disastrous suppression that occurred in the demonstrations last fall leading up to the presidential election. If there are laws against these types of gatherings on the books, then as of Saturday/Sunday last weekend, we as citizens have no immediate recourse, but we need to work towards removing those types of laws in order to preserve our civil liberties and free society. If there are no such laws, then my civil rights were violated, and the police are guilty of illegal actions.

This past Friday, I went to a concert that was held at the Sunshine Theater. Due to the relatively recent fuss over Mayor Martin Chavez trying to put an end to all-ages shows, I was paying a lot more attention to what was going on around me. I found that a majority of the concert-goers were, in fact, under the age of 21. This made me realize how important all-ages shows are to the Downtown venues.

I also found that since the last time I had been to the Sunshine, they had bumped up the security immensely around the bar area and the guards were meaner then ever. There was no way anyone under the age of 21 was going to get near the bar. All entrances were blocked off by security, and there was a new Plexiglas wall that blocked a walkway area once open to minors.

I, personally, was pleased with the way things are being run down there and felt in no way that my safety as a minor was compromised. I sincerely hope that Mr. Chavez thinks twice about ending these shows! There is not much else left for us minors to do in this city as it is. If anything, I think that the mayor should start thinking about what he can give minors to do, and not what he can take away.

I have a bone to pick with certain bikers, that is bicyclists, down on trails in the Bosque. While I agree you have just as much right to exercise as anyone else, please don’t let this be at the cost of the health and safety of others. Please be more courteous when passing walkers, skaters, or other bikers by using your bell or saying simply, “on your left.” Also, it seems you could be more patient with people taking up more than their allotted part of the path or with kids and dogs that wander into the other lane. This is a public space–would you curse out a tree stump for lying in the road? I didn’t think so. So please spare your fellow outdoorsmen and women (and kids) from it too.

While I understand many of you take your sport very seriously, please don’t use it as a excuse to be rude and unkind. Remember this is nature, not a training facility, so let’s all just get out there and enjoy it!

I just checked out The Shins North American tour schedule for the next few months. Albuquerque isn’t one of their stops. Now, being a local boy who’s not only a big fan of this band but incredibly proud of all their success, I was wondering if there’s any way we can divert their tour route and have them play one show back on their local turf.

Editor's Note: We suggest bribery, candy, Thai food … that sort of thing. Send your contribution to The Shins c/o Sub Pop World Headquarters, 2514 Fourth Ave., Seattle, Wash. 98121.