Party Vibe

**PUBLIC APOLOGY**

Dear Brothers and Sisters..

A great beginning..and a sad ending of a gathering, which was supposed to be another great adventure in the
world of Namaste, sadly stopped by the Dutch district authority of Amsterdam North.

It all started with the confusion as to whether the Stubnitz was allowed to moore at the NDSM dockyard, three
weeks ago. Higher authorities kept the cultural ship hidden in the outskirts of the Coenhaven, left her there
drying out of money, food, water and cut off the possibility of sharing cultures.

In the week before Namaste Earthdance, we started to face the true reality of what our partners did face
in the weekends before us. Confusion, unnecessary extra stress whether Earthdance was able to receive
its guests on the 25th and the 26th of September. A new hurdle has been added..

Positive energy reached us from the Dutch district authority of Amsterdam North. The Dutch district authority
of Amsterdam North wanted our event, with such beautiful purposes, to continue no matter what. The Dutch
district authority of Amsterdam North overruled the advice of the ‘Korpscoordinatie’ (Corps coordination team
Amsterdam) for making Earthdance happen, therefore ‘extra strict conditions’ where added to the license as a
kind of a compromise.

On Wednesday the 24th of September Namaste got a green light, but restricted with very strict safety- and drug
policies. Two days before an event, which we started 3 months ago, we got all of a sudden confronted with a
restricted amount of security and an absurd additional amount of unexpected financial costs.

Thursday morning, one day before the event, Namaste made an agreement with the Dutch district authority of
Amsterdam North. Earthdance was going to happen, but this same midday the Dutch district authority of
Amsterdam North had to defend her positive decision in front of the Central City Council which could still
overrule the granted license.

Friday morning, the day of the first part of Earthdance, we got a phone call from the Dutch district authority of
Amsterdam North, that the license was granted and needed to be signed, to be paid for and to be picked up.

Friday night we were finally legally able to show the beauty of the Stubnitz to its Earthdance audience. Restricted
with very strict security precautions, which resulted in a near strip search and an entrance queue which took at
least 30-40 minutes. The result of the last few weeks of confusion as to whether Earthdance was able to take place
sadly was visible; only 300x paying visitors where witnessing Earthdance on the Friday night.

Saturday midday at 04.00 in the afternoon, we received an urgent phone call telling us that the license of the
Stubnitz was withdrawn immediately, but Earthdance was able to continue on the Supperclub cruise and part of
the fenced off, ISPS certified, dock area. Reasons why were kept hidden, because “it was non of our concern”.
We guess the ‘Korpscoordinatie’ (Corps coordination team Amsterdam) had used the ‘extra strict conditions’ as a kind
of trap by sending 12 undercover officers (8x men and 4x women) to collect evidence, that the Stubnitz was not in line
with the given strict conditions. Considering the ratio of 1 officer observing the behaviour of 33 visitors, the result is not
such a surprise. Any dance event in Amsterdam might be closed easily by this practice. If you take the same approach
with for example Valtifest, some 300 officers would have to be involved. As we understood the policy of the ‘Dance beleid2006’
(Dance Policy 2006) so far,the common agreement was to search every visitor as a statement, but all visitors had
the freedom to keep their shoes on..

With all the strength and last pieces of energy remaining we changed the complete Saturday night within 4 hours; from
7 areas reduced to 3 areas, cancelled our 4 programmed areas, changed our set up of crew and prepared our work
schedule for the night. There was hardly time to react emotionally to this sudden arising situation.

Saturday night was because of the result of the Friday night even more strongly restricted with safety and drug policies.
Queues for more then 1 hour for our only 650 paying visitors plus guests and artists. Complete bemusement by the
audience. Secret police intervention teams observing and removing possible suspects of drug dealing, which turned out
to be just peaceful visitors enjoying Earthdance, without any drugs on them. Disappointment rapidly spread through the
audience, but after taking notice of the reason of the Stubnitz sudden closure, complete understanding and support for
Namaste Earthdance was regained.

Sunday evening replying to angry and disappointed emails. Happily we only received a few emails wishing us the
worst for a dream created not coming true. After replying our explanation we received warm wishes and honest support..

First of all Namaste feels very sad that such a beautiful initiative as Earthdance ended up being used as a try out for
the Stubnitz to prove to the Council of Amsterdam that it could operate its beautiful purposes within the given last
minute tight security and drugs restrictions. Second of all, Namaste feels very upset that people in our system who
have no compassion or idea about Earthdance or the Stubnitz, are entitled to create such damage to a cause set up
with true compassion and care.

Where is the liberal freedom on which Amsterdam is resting its fundament. The liberal freedom where Amsterdam
is internationally known for, where art and culture can thrive and flourish without being restricted by personal taste..
where to inform and to guide is more important then to create numerous laws to prohibit and to restrict..

What we have experienced at Namaste Earthdance might easily make history in the Netherlands, but is not known to its
audiences yet. In other countries it is simply called: zero tolerance.

Is this going to be the new surrealistic and restricted freedom policy of the city of Amsterdam/Netherlands?

Please be aware of your freedom rights, open your eyes and stand up for your natural rights, being restricted and
controlled more and more..

With Love and light,

Namaste

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