The blog post I am about to make hits pretty close to home in my community. And how this relates to the entertainment industry is a big domino effect. And a story that you will probably never again like it.
First lets start with this article to sum up a few things:
Above is an article about a venue that I am familiar with in terms of the employees and the clientele that have attended this venue. Apparently on Oct. 15th, one owner and 4 employees were accused of killing an Ethiopian man after he was thrown out of the venue for his overly intoxicated behavior. The man came back with a brick and threw it through the window. The 4 employees and one of the co-owners present caught the man and subdued him until DC Police came handled the situation. The man dies in police custody and accusations are being thrown around that the man was beaten to death by the media, Chief Lanier of the DC Police Department, and others. The medical examiner concluded no evidence showed that the man was beaten at all. As the article indicates, the charges were dropped from accusing the 5 men who were allegedly responsible for this issue. Eventually, the charges were dropped after no evidence was found. The Ethiopian community has protested as a result because no direct answers have been given by the police department. The tragedy has affected a family who has not received any answers that they are seeking. However, the investigation continues and charges could be brought back if any new evidence or information has been found. The autopsy of the body is supposedly going to take up to 60 to 90 days.
The key point that has been made has been what the media and Chief Lanier has stated before evidence was examined: that the accused men were guilty without examining the facts.Ever since the incident happened, the police department close the venue until further notice. And the liquor license was removed. However, charges were dropped and a hearing with ABRA (Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration) was held on November 17th denying the re-opening of DC9 even though charges were dropped. ABRA claims that they would like to know if "their spouses would be safe at a venue" as this. Until the autopsy of the victim comes out, ABRA did not grant them their liquor license and DC9 will remain closed. This has placed the booking company that works with DC9, Hood Booking, in a particular hole to move performance acts to different venues to perform at. The employees have had to get other jobs to make ends meet when they are available. The general managers and owners have lost investments on their profits as a result of this incident. There has not been any estimates of how much this has costed the business but, rent on the space is still being paid without any income that has been received. The employees who worked for DC9 who were not involved with the incident have been able to find work at different venues that have been connected with DC9.
The point I am making is that something as violent as throwing a brick a window caused this big of an issue. It has now involved a community of people who are dealing with the loss of their own and a community of people who care for a well-respected bar/venue in the music scene. Hopefully, answers will be given within the next few months or so and issues will be resolved. With that said, only time will tell.
Interesting post! It shows how important it is for a venue to protect itself from liability, and how much they have to lose if they don't. It also shows that there is an entire ecosystem that revolves around an establishment that can be affected. That is why it is important to pick and choose venues carefully. To make sure that they have the proper measures put in place, and to make sure that if one venue goes out of business that you have other venues that can be relied upon.
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