SEATTLE (Reuter) A Washington state sheriff wants to prevent the rock
group Rage Against The Machine from performing Friday in part because of
the group's allegedly ``violent and antilaw enforcement'' philosophy.

Grant County Sheriff William Wiester, citing public safety concerns, has
asked a judge to issue an order blocking the concert planned for the
Gorge Amphitheatre near the town of George, Wash., in the central part
of the state.

The action is the latest step in a longrunning dispute between local
authorities and promoters who operate a popular series of outdoor summer
concerts at the site 130 miles east of Seattle.

In particular Wiester complained in court documents about ''rampant''
drug and alcohol abuse at earlier concerts, traffic congestion and
unsanitary conditions in a nearby field operated as an overnight camp
for concertgoers.

But in his affidavit, Wiester also made note of the ''militant, radical
and antiestablishment'' stance attributed to Rage Against The Machine,
a popular Los Angelesbased quartet known for its politically charged
rapstyle lyrics.

And he warned of potential problems because of the ``violent and
antilaw enforcement philosophies'' of Rage Against The Machine and
WuTang Clan, which had been touring together.

In earlier concerts WuTang Clan deliberately damaged a prop police car
in its act, inciting fans ``almost to the point of riot,'' according to
police reports.

WuTang Clan, however, has been dropped from the tour, according to a
spokeswoman with Rage Against The Machine's label, Epic.

Grant County Superior Court Judge Ken Jorgensen has scheduled a hearing
for Wednesday to decide on whether the concert should be blocked.

Operators of the overnight camping facility declined to comment, and
representatives of promoter Universal Concerts Inc. could not be
reached.

Reuters/Variety

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