Here is a letter we got from a witness who enjoyed the show. Maybe it will clear up alot of the lies and nonsense that has been spewing on the comments boards Enjoy: Kate, My kids and I followed you for a way down Nicolett Mall, because we enjoyed the show so much. I felt that the message was really important and creatively delivered, and wanted my kids to be exposed to it. We all really appreciated it. Although I didn't observe the arrest itself, I did observe you on Nicolett being very sensitive to kids (turning away if they looked frightened), and I observed the interaction on Nicolett with the police. After they stopped you, I talked to a tall male performance artist and told him that we appreciated the performance. He said to me to go and tell that to the police. By that time, there were 5 or 6 police having a conversation. I told the police I appreciated the performance and thought it had an important political (anti-consumeristic) message. Two of the police asked ˜what political message?" and when I said one of anti-consumerism, they retorted "oh great, we got a protest!" In particular, it was these two who were partners who seemed to have an attitude, and my guess is that they were the main arresting officers (a sandy brown haired medium height 40 something and a nice looking muscular 30 something dark haired officer who might have been Latin or Mediterranean). These two definitely had attitude in spades. They kept arguing with the others that this shouldn't be allowed on Nicolett Mall. Later, my kids and I went to the Crown Theatre on Hennepin, but stopped to watch the drummers/dancers. Your group was there, quietly watching with over a 100 people around, and not a one person seemed afraid of you. That they approached you at that point, seems like pure and simple harassment. I believe the police knew that you were simply carrying boom boxes in you back packs. I watched them ask you to turn the music down on Nicolett which you politely did. The backpacks were opened, and not one person or police officer (at that point) misconstrued you for a terrorist with weapons of mass destruction, even the police, who knew that you had boom boxes in the packs. The incident/interaction bothered me enough that I came home and told my husband about it, so when I saw you had been arrested in the paper, I was appalled. Your right to free speech has definitely been violated (based on my observations). The allegation that they thought that you had WMDs in your back packs is their cover for their own major screw-up! I called the first precinct (not helpful), the civilian review board, and my councilwomen (Goodman) yesterday to report what I knew about the incident. If you need a material witness, I am very willing to write a letter, be interviewed, testify, whatever you need! Keep performing! Keep questioning authority! 

Comments Re: Re: Six Arrested, Jail Solidarity, 30,000 Dollar Bail for Dance PartyCurrent rating: 0 31 Jul 2006 by Timmy Ramone Reply to this comment Thanks for posting that letter. It's good to get a perspective from an indepdendent eyewitness. Looking over the other comments on TC Indymedia, I note more outrage posted over the Zombie Dance Party than over the Israeli attack on Lebanon. I think certain "Anonymous" parties need to re-think some of their priorities. -timmy The Usual Suspects WNMR - War No More Radio "Hey, ho — let's go!" -RAMONES Re: Re: Re: Six Arrested, Jail Solidarity, 30,000 Dollar Bail for Dance PartyCurrent rating: 0 31 Jul 2006 by Anonymous Reply to this comment That letter, while insightful, still doesn't negate the fact that if the cops ask you to leave and you don't, regardless of if you like the cops or not, you are in the wrong and must own up to the consequences of your actions (or, in this case, inactions). If you still cannot see that this is the *real* reason you had troubles with the police, then you're just a sad, sorry lot of spoiled children. Re: Re: Six Arrested, Jail Solidarity, 30,000 Dollar Bail for Dance PartyCurrent rating: 0 01 Aug 2006 by Anonymous Reply to this comment Thank gods one of the people we've entertained was moved enough to admit it, and not only that, but to speak loudly about it. Lady Witness, I love you and your children and hope you always have your brave will and strong heart. I am not anywhere near the area, but i am friends with 4 of the arrested group (Jake's one of my heroes) As far as I can see, it was an average day of interesting make up, antics and music, probably more responsibly and respectably handled than most 15 to 30 year old stereotype groups doing the same. When our law enforcement are arresting people for dressing up and smiling at people we're all &*^%(*ed. People get dressed up to wander around the mall talking loudly of their problems or beating their children (ever been to Bayfair Mall?) or disrupting the shelf arrangements, or Spilling drinks and leaving garbage in foliage and refusing to clean up their own bathroom messes... If zombies are an issue of the police feeling their property was being disrespected, or their authority questioned, perhaps they need to reconsider their basis of comparison. if outrageous charges based only on the opinions of bored napoleon-esque mall cops weren't so commonly flaunted on larger and smaller scales, perhaps this would not be an issue worth undertaking... But as it stands, their is no excuse these people will not use to justify their rampant bullying. No matter how outrageous. Now imagine yourself an artist. Imagine yourself doing your art and making people smile. Than imagine critics with the right to take away your freedom. Imagine Siskel and Ebert with the power to jail you for not liking the right movie. You'd be pretty screwed wouldn't you? This is not the only case like this. Bullshit charges are rampant, and I'd hate to see how this turned out if they'd been any other skintone. And as far as the accusation that these are suburban babies... I wish I had the self-discipline, strength, and knowledge of at least 2 of the members of this group I know well, for they sacrifice much and contribute much for their and your right to free speech. As well as their superhuman endeavors in building communities, saving the environment, feeding the hungry, and entertaining the world. Think twice before you judge people by a single media article, or you may find yourself at the mercy of the media all too soon. If Mr. Bitchy from the afore comments thinks people don't have the right to free speech in a public forum without announcement, he should look at the hypocricy of his own manner of protest. If the police and shopkeepers are disturbed by the activities of the individuals, they need to report specific charges, and how they are causing a justifiable disturbance, not just decide they don't like them so they should be put in jail. 'Cause if we just get to put people we don't really like in jail, i have this list I've been saving for my presidency but what the hell... Carrottop George Bush (they both count as one) That guy from the tollbooth that tries to touch my hand Everyone on Heroin Everyone on Speed Everyone who likes Nascar People who wear white pants People who like Journey The Osmonds Johnny Cash and ESPECIALLY Jon Waters (he does more FOR censorship than he could ever do against it.) Sincerely, -Mercycat