Pete Karas of the Progressive Racine Blog advises that court dates for the hundreds of rave-goers arrested in Racine, Wisconsis have been canceled .

"75 people had been scheduled to meet with city prosecutors today in Municipal Court to discuss their cases."

"Police issued $968 citations to more than 440 people who attended the Nov. 2 party at a bar, which had been billed as a fund-raiser for the Uptown Theatre. The citations were for being an inmate of a disorderly house. Police had said drug activity was obvious to all attendees, but only three people were arrested on drug charges."

"The Racine City Attorney's Office offered to reduce the fines to $100, but most of the people cited pleaded not guilty and demanded trials."

Apparently, negotiations are underway between the Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, including Racine attorney Erik Guenther, who is volunteering his time to the Milwaukee-based American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, and the City of Racine.

This has us a bit curious:

"Guenther said any rave-goers who have pleaded not guilty prior to Friday will be notified by the court if any proceedings are rescheduled....Guenther also said people who had pleaded no contest but not yet paid the fine should not pay the fine and should await further instructions from the court."

What do they mean "if any proceedings are rescheduled?" And why are they instructing those who agreed to pay the fine but haven't yet done so not to pay? Pete at Progressive Racine Blog says his sources are telling him the negotioations may lead to a very quick "settlement or closure" in all of these cases. We have no sources, but it sounds like a done deal to us--and a favorable one. If so, our hat is off to Mr. Gunenther and the Milwaukee ACLU.

Further Update: Two mayoral candidates think charges should be dropped against all those arrested.

"I agree that the party probably did get out of hand, but I think they've taken it too far, and I think they're wasting the taxpayers' money," said political newcomer Laurie Kell. Added County Supervisor Ken Lumpkin, another mayoral candidate: "I think they should cut their losses and walk away from it."