Despite continued outcries from residents concerned about Wednesday's Rage Against the Machine concert, it looks like the show will go on.
"We're not going to cancel (the concert)," said City Attorney Junior Baker. "We're contractually bound."A group of about 50 residents met in the city park Saturday to figure out how the city could cancel the concert. They hoped to persuade the council to cancel the show because of safety concerns, but the council did not meet with the group.
City officials have said, however, that booking the concert was a mistake.
Aaron Mackley, a school teacher leading residents in opposition to the concert, is now encouraging parents not to allow their children to attend the rock/rap band's concert. A message on his voice mail cautions parents to keep their children home Wednesday night and away from the group that he says "promotes violence, drugs and total opposition to community standards and values."
The recording asks people to call at least three others to issue the warning and asks that they, in turn, call three others.
The recording also urges residents to write the City Council and Mayor Marie Huff to express concern and regret that they were unable to cancel the concert or meet with residents. The message phone number is 798-3551.
Spanish Fork residents expressed fear - not only of the influences the band could have on their children - but also of the potential for injury among fans who may frequent a mosh pit, where fans slam dance against each other.
The band performs songs that include political rhetoric and foul language that will likely be heard well beyond the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds in this conservative town where the event will be held.
Injuries have occurred at other concerts, even though the band brings its own security. When Rage Against the Machine appeared in Salt Lake City in April 1993, a 16-year-old boy died following a fight. Police said he wasn't involved in the altercation but had a history of heart problems.
"Hopefully we'll be overprepared," said Baker.
"Every (police) agency in Utah County will be represented," said Lt. Carl Johnston of the Spanish Fork Police Department. He said the band will have 100 of its own security people inside the concert. Johnston wouldn't reveal how many would be outside. But every officer will have a specific assignment, he said.
Meanwhile, a Nebo School District Board of Education meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., the same time the concert starts, has been moved to Larsen Elementary School, 1175 E. Flonette Dr. The school district administration building is across the street from the fairgrounds.
A school spokeswoman said that parking and noise were the chief concerns. "We didn't want to compete with them," she said.