Gilded Serpent Editor barred from entering festival

This is the sign posted at the front entry. A similiar sign was also posted at the back door where the vendors and performers enter, as well as at the door to the cabaret stage.

Gilded Serpent presents...

Rakkasah Democracy Skips
First Amendment!
March 20, 2005
Richmond Civic Auditorium
Richmond, California
Report by Lynette, Editor

Friday March 18 2:30 pm -Shukriya's staff asked me to leave shortly after I arrived at Bert Balladine's Rakkasah workshop location! Bert had requested that I come to take pictures of him teaching. When I asked why I must leave, Shukriya's staff representatives, Fatima and Loywonner, answered that she had told them by phone to order me out or to make me pay for the class, even if I was only there for a few photos of Bert.

Sunday 9 AM. I received 2 phone calls from Shukriya each ending with her hanging up on me abruptly. The first conversation reprimanded me for "soliciting vendors for advertising" without renting a table as I had in previous years.Then she moved on to what seemed to be her real issue: She said, "You don't like Rakkasah!" referring to Aziza!'s recent article on Gilded Serpent.

The second call, a few minutes later, warned me not to come to Rakkasah at all. I told her that I had staff members to support there. Refusing to discuss anything any further she hung up again.

Sunday, later that morning I attempted to deliver equipment to my photographers and reporters but was confronted at the door by Shukriya's husband, Michael. He said "I think you have been told not to enter."

Shukriya's husband rushes around the table to bar Lynette from entering the hall.

Embarrassed security guard enforces Shukriya's ban. Warning sign is posted on door at level of guard's hip. No more cookies for him!

Lynette supports her staff and entertains visitors from the comfort of her new VW camper in the parking lot behind the building.
The back door to the hall is visible in the background.

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