7-20-1999:
The U&L committee again votes to table the license petition, this time for two months, amid a barrage of vicious attacks
on us by neighborhod residents, local business owners, the Police, the city
attorney, the local alderman, and even the State Representative from
the district. We are crushed, and desperately try to reorganize for when we are finally allowed to present our position. Up until now only the opposition has been allowed
to speak.
9-14-1999:
After finally hearing our side of the argument
for opening the Sanctuary the U&L committee is moved by our presentation to recommend granting the license to open the Sanctuary. The petition is set to go to the full Common Council in two weeks. We are overjoyed, and blinded by our newfound optimism we fail to see the storm clouds gathering
on the horizon...
9-22-1999:
Disaster... The full Common Council, at the recommendation
of Alderman Witkowiak, votes 10 to 6 against granting the license to open Sanctuary. I don't have words enough to express how bitterly disappointed we all are. Fear and
hatred of us, based in the main on bizarre rumors
and misconceptions about the gothic subculture, has won out over truth and common sense. A black day for freedom of expression to be sure, not to mention for the gothic
community of Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin.
For those of you who don't know how your alderman voted, here is how the vote broke down:
| Voted Yes: |
|
Voted No: |
|
Mike D'Amato Dan Schramm Fred Gordon Don Richards George Butler Willie Hines |
|
James Witkowiak Marvin Pratt Paul Henningsen Marlene Johnson-Odom Annette Scherbert Jeff Pawlinski Sue Brier Tom Nardelli Michael Murphy John Kalwitz |
The Present Day:
The Sanctuary ownership intends to appeal
the Council's decision, a process that takes 6 to 9 months.
During that time they are going to try to find some way to raise money and keep the fight alive.