The Electronic Music Defense & Education Fund is a response to people that think the war on drugs should also be a war on electronic music.

The goals of this group are to raise and provide funds for legal assistance to people in the electronic dance music industry who are targeted by law enforcement as part of the “war on drugs”. In addition to providing funds for legal efforts to protect the industry, EM:DEF will serve as a spokes-agency for the electronic dance music industry, providing an independent voice on behalf of industry professionals, while allowing professionals to avoid public association which could result in retaliation by law enforcement.

According to the EM:DEF site, funding of cases will be based on the following (in order):

• Impact on the electronic dance music industry’s ability to remain economically viable
• Impact on the broader music industry’s ability to remain economically viable
• Impact on members of the electronic dance music community including fans and industry
• Impact on members of the broader music community including fans and industry

Why is there an EM:DEF?

One of the tactics used in the “war on drugs” is to target promoters and venues that host electronic music events. By holding these people responsible for drug use that can occur at these events, the DEA cuts down on the number of electronic music events. This reduces people’s access to electronic music, and makes it difficult for electronica promoters to make money.

“Raves, parties, clubs, and other performance opportunities are central to the efforts of record labels and artist managers working to break an artist or to keep an established act in contact with their fans. They also provide an opportunity for people with similar taste in music to meet and talk about artists they’ve been listening to.” – EM:DEF

By targeting these promoters, law enforcement is killing people’s chances to experience electronic music in a live context. This ends up stifling artistic expression. Because of this, the Electronic Music Defense & Education Fund was created to help protect the industy.