ACLU of Ohio Questions Local Mayor's Cancellation of Spring Mosh Ô99

March 3, 1999 12:00 am

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Wednesday, March 3, 1999

CLEVELAND–The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today said that it is launching an investigation into why Streetsboro Mayor Sally Henzel canceled “Spring Mosh ’99,” a student event that had a stamp of approval from local officials and the school board.

The concert, dubbed “Spring Mosh ’99,” was slated to take place on April 24th at Streetsboro High School. As planned by WSTB, the high school’s radio station, the event was to feature several area bands including Mushroomhead, a popular local group known for its on-stage antics and elaborate stage show.

The concert organizers said they had met with the city’s police chief and fire chief to solicit assurances that there would be no problems with the planned event. The organizers also received the support of the school board, which approved the concert. In addition, the organizers obtained insurance, hired security for the concert, and obtained the support of several corporate sponsors.

Nonetheless, Mayor Hanzel canceled the show, allegedly over concerns that the City was unequipped to handle the event.

“The mayor’s actions warrants some serious investigation,” said Raymond Vasvari, Legal Director for the ACLU of Ohio. “The ACLU’s concern is that the concert was canceled not for legitimate safety reasons but because a small segment of the population is opposed to Mushroomhead’s involvement.”

“I find it questionable that a school can handle football games, school dances, band concerts and the like,” he added, “not to mention a summer’s worth of traffic from Geauga Lake and Sea World, but for some reason can’t find any way to manage a small concert.”

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