[Imc] update

[Paul Riismandel]

Thanks, Brian, for being there and handling things.  I hope nobody was hurt
badly.

The only issue this raises for me is the need to make very clear to renters
the IMC's need to be a good neighbor in DT Urbana, the need to be safe and
secure, and the need to control violence and excessive unruliness.

While they do sign a contract, perhaps a clearly written list of "good
behavior" points should be made along with the cost to a deposit if they are
not followed (beer cans left outside the IMC = $15).  While I'm no fan of
"fines," the real point is provide a stronger incentive for renters to
encourage their guests not to be assholes.

I, too, would hate to see this turn into prejudicial behavior against those
who would host punk shows, but it also should make us more aware of the
risks and responsibilities involved in having an rentable open venue.

I might suggest that in this particular incident the folks who did the
rental be responsible for some degree of cleanup and/or repair BEFORE they
be allowed to rent again. I also think it would be reasonable to raise the
deposit costs for this group or others in similar situations.

At some level these sorts of things are unavoidable if we hope to be open to
a larger public.  And I do think we want to be open to a larger public.  We
simply will have to learn to be more ready, I guess.

--Paul (who left at 9:00pm leaving Brian in command, and who didn't ask
about a deposit either).



-----Original Message-----
From: imc-admin at urbana.indymedia.org
[mailto:imc-admin at urbana.indymedia.org]On Behalf Of Brian Hagy
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 12:03 AM
To: imc at lists.groogroo.com
Subject: [Imc] update



ok, so before rumors fly, let me give everyone an update as to what
happened tonight at the imc.

tonight was a punk band concert at the imc.  started around 8:30, finished
around 10.  some loud music, in the punk venue (actually, i thought some
was interesting to listen to...the feedback patterns were wild).  anyways,
most people were respectful.  every for the most part kept to the normal
rules (people recycled the cans even....including the skin heads!).
those who weren't drunk helped to tone down those who were drunk.  and
those who were drunk respected the advice of those who weren't.

for the most part, it went ok, till the last song.  then the rowdiness
increased, beer poured everywhere (which was cleaned up after the show).
if in the future the punk venue wishes to return, they should be allowed
to do so, but perhaps with a slightly better intervention system.

now, for the worst part of the evening (notice my style, start with the
good news, so that the bad is sugar coated).  after the event finished,
and people were hanging out outside the imc, some guy hit another guy in
the head (above the eye) with a broken bottle.  that guy was taken to the
hospital, and i don't know his condition, but he was walking and talking
when he left.  he did have a significan wound on his forehead, and
appeared deep, but difficult to tell due to the blood.  it is important to
know that the head will bleed more profusely than any other part of the
body, and thus "lots" of blood from the head is not necessarily a sign of
a dangerous injury.  i don't think he lost enough blood to be critical,
but that's only from what i saw (i didn't see what happened, i was
inside wrapping things up).  My suspicion is that the man will need
stitches.  another kid was caught in the middle and had to large bumps on
his head.  he had difficulty walking (but that could have been from his
excessive drinking).

the police did respond, but no one from the imc called (unless one of the
people from the crowd called).  they called for a medical assistance. the
kid with the bumps on his head was resting in the imc when the police
arrived, and he told them he didn't want to go to the hospital for
probation reasons.  the police suggested that they call a medic for him,
so that he wouldn't have to go.  he agreed.  the medics didn't find
anything critical.  the police took pictures of him, and probably the
blood outside the imc.  yes there was blood outside the imc, and should be
all cleaned up (the folks who rented the imc are in the process of
cleaning up the blood....and a word about them, they have really tried to
clean to the best of their abilities, considering our lack of equipment to
clean...something the space focus group needs to address).

all in all, the event was ok.  the walls may need to be repainted, but not
because of this event only, they've been getting kinda dirty from all the
events we've had. true, this event contributed to this (and stupid me
forgot to get a deposit, so i will help with any repainting that needs
to happen, if it comes to that) and the only thing that got broken was a
lamp the didn't work to begin with.

so, if anyone at the imc gets a call from the police tomorrow, you'll know
the context.  feel free to ask me questions.  i really don't want this to
be more than what it was, and i don't want there to be some backlash on
our part against the punk venue (the violent incident was by one person,
who from reports seemed to be involved with such in the past).  however, i
will try to answer what i can in order to help clarify things.

brian

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