ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed made it clear Wednesday that he would not tolerate a repeat of the 1990s version of Freaknik.
“I will tell you I will sue them,” said Reed at a City Hall news conference. “I will sue them. I’m not going to be fancy about this. I’m not going to tolereate having this city’s resources utilized by people who don’t respect our laws and ordinances.”
The Freaknik that left Atlanta after several disruptive years an event that left a permanent mark on the city. Freaknik weekends were filled with gridlock, grinding, and groping. The city’s police force was overwhelmed.
Mayor Reed sent a cease and desist letter to the promoter of Freaknic Atlanta 2010. The Mayor points out that the event failed to obtain any city permits. Mayor Reed warned the promoter that he could be charged 100′s of thousands of dollars for taxing city services.
As a result, promoter J.K. Jones has moved his events outside of the city. He says so far, 50 people have purchased tickets.
“If there is any disruption, it will be other promoters,” said Jones. “It won’t be the official Freaknic Atlanta.”
The promoter of iFreaknik says he’s cancelled one event and moved others outside of the city. He anticipates 3,000 to 5,000 people, most of them here for other events.
“Our Freaknik is not the Freaknik of the past,” says promoter Davinci Barcello. “Our Freaknik is the Freaknik of the new generation.”
The Mayor is haunted by the ghosts of Freaknik past. He’s promised to go after any event that gets out of hand.
“We’re not expecting the massive crowds the city has experienced in the past,” said Mayor Reed. “Still, I don’t want any person to believe they’re going to jump out here and have an event, and then if it gets stopped, there aren’t going to be further consequences.”
The city has cancelled all off-time for Atlanta police officers, who will work 12-hour shifts. The Mayor anticipates that overtime to work several weekend festivals will cost the city between $125,000 and $300,000.
