We, the undersigned, support Hear Mount Pleasant's efforts to end the ban on live music in that neighborhood’s ABC licensed restaurants imposed through the city's Voluntary Agreement process.

We are troubled that a group of private individuals used the city’s liquor licensing process to coerce Class CR restaurants in Mount Pleasant into signing away their rights to provide venues for musicians to perform. These agreements now have the force of law, yet were imposed without public input or due process. We are dismayed that our city has turned over such a vital overseeing function to a group of unelected and unaccountable private citizens. We are concerned about the impact these policies have on our city’s grassroots music communities and emerging artists.

We belong to music and dance communities that contribute to the life and vitality of our city. Along with theaters, nightclubs, church halls and outdoor stages, we maintain that Class CR restaurants have long played a critical role in nurturing grassroots music communities by providing venues for musicians to perform, spaces for ideas to be exchanged and creativity fostered. Restaurants and bars offer venues for music and performance add to the cultural vitality of our city and help to foster more dynamic neighborhoods. The restrictions on live music in Mount Pleasant hurt all musicians and music lovers in Washington DC.

In closing, we fully stand behind Hear Mount Pleasant’s efforts to bring live music back to Mount Pleasant’s restaurants and bars and pledge to work with them toward the regulatory reforms necessary to help preserve and protect the cultural life of our city.

Eric Hilton
Thievery Corporation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thievery_Corporation

“We support your effort to end the live music ban in Mt. Pleasent. Keep up the great work!”

Brendan Canty,
Rites of Spring / Fugazi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Canty

“I applaud Hear Mount Pleasant and support them in their fight to keep this historically diverse neighborhood culturally vital. Their efforts on behalf of the small businesses there will keep all the different people and music of lovely Mount Pleasant blending, and will help neutralize the issues of class and bigotry that often appear with gentrification.”

Guy Picciotto
Rites of Spring / Fugazi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Picciotto

“I endorse the work of HEAR MT. PLEASANT unequivocally. As a musician who was born and raised in Washington D.C. and lived in Mt. Pleasant and Adams Morgan for almost 20 years, I am really discouraged that a small group of private citizens has been able to hijack public policy in our neighborhood. The ban on live music and dancing in Mount Pleasant restaurants and bars was arrived at in a singularly undemocratic fashion and it is high time for it to be overturned. Hear Mount Pleasant is doing important work to end the ban and to restore music to the people.”

Brian Baker
Minor Threat / Bad Religion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Baker_%28musician%29

Ian MacKaye
Minor Threat / Fugazi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_MacKaye

Kathi Wilcox
Bikini Kill/ Frumpies / Casual Dots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathi_Wilcox

Ian Svenonius
Nation of Ullyses / Make up / Weird War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Svenonius

Martin Royle
Washington Social Club
www.washingtonsocialclub.com

“Hey DC! Keep the government out of our ears! How can you ban music in of the city of Duke Ellington, the city of Charlie Byrd, the city of Marvin Gay, Roberta Flack, Mama Cass and Minor Threat? Art isn’t a privilege, it’s our right to be heard. It’s a soul thing. So stop killing our soul and we’ll keep killing you softly.”

Cris Gajardo
Machetres
http://www.machetres.com/

Vida Russell
http://www.fortknoxrecordings.com/artists_iv.html
http://www.myspace.com/internationalvelvetdc

Howard Herrnstadt
www.HarmonicaBluXpress.com

I want to add my support to your cause. I am a musician - harmonica, vocals, electric bass - who has been to your town to listen to music in the cafe. Yes it would be wonderful for Mt. Pleasant to further support the arts.

Rob Myers
The Fort Knox Five
http://www.fortknoxrecordings.com/artists_fk5.html

As a professional musician raised and educated in Washington, DC I can attest to the importance of local government in maintaining the health of its musical community. Twenty years ago when I was attending Woodrow Wilson HS, I was enrolled in Marion Barry's “Summer Music Workshop.” Without that experience as a youth I doubt I would have been able to break into the music business. It is difficult being a musician. Some, if not most, spend more than they make just to obtain the tools of the craft. The community reciprocates by offering some simple, nearby venues in which to perform. This is how music has - and always will - survive. Ask yourself: What would Duke Ellington do?

Donal Leace, Musician
http://www.Donalleace.com

“Every human being deserves the right to experience the uplifting and the transforming presence of music as a part of their lives”

Amy Farina
The Warmers/The Evens