Drop the Charges (Two)

Dear Editor,
   Drop all charges against Ozomatli
   please ["Not Quite 'Ya Se Fue!,'" News, March 26].
   Apparently I am living in the "live music capital of the world."
   Apparently live music in our streets will get you arrested.
   Apparently this happens even during SXSW when visiting Grammy Award-winning musicians perform.
   Apparently our city makes millions of dollars during SXSW.
   Apparently the APD does not care.
   Apparently you can still show that you do.
   Apparently you can drop the charges
   and apparently you should.
   
   I was there and I will possibly be serving as a witness in their case.
   I was absolutely aghast at the officers' behavior on Wednesday night.
   I can't even imagine the logic behind arresting musicians for playing music during SXSW ...
   and I tried. I even talked to one of your veteran Sixth Street officers.
   He was kind and informative but even after 45 minutes of discussion
   I left the scene not clear how members of Ozomatli (and their fans)
   who preach nonviolence and who strive to promote unity between races
   through their music and who promote social justice and civil rights
   could have been mistaken for an angry mob in need of crowd control.
   FYI: A crowd generally gets angry after it gets pepper-sprayed.
   We were not angry before. We were simply dancing.
   Frankly, dancing should not be a crime.
   
   I hope that I do not have to see you in court.
   Instead I hope that I will see you on Sixth Street
   and be able to smile at you again. To count on you
   for protection and not intimidation.
   As an Austin citizen, I deserve that
   and I pay for that.