Bellydance Sword ban

[mysteriousaliways]

I've just been sent an email containing the following:


Hello all.

Sad news I'm afraid. I have just spoken to the home office who has confirmed that belly and tribal dancers in the UK are included in the VCR (Violent Crimes Reduction Bill).
As Belly dancers, we are not covered in the exemptions of being classed as a 'sporting activity' or a Historical reenactment. While we can perform with our existing swords, if you have public liability insurance. You can no longer purchase a new blade.

This is scary thought, as if we are not included in the exclusions to the ban, the art form of sword dancing will ultimately die out in the UK! my sword was broken recently In a workshop when it was dropped. I now can't get a new one....

The only way we can get this changed for all belly dancers is to voice our concern and request that as a dance form that we are allowed to continue to be allowed to purchase swords, so that we can continue with a beautiful art form.

Please, Please take the time to sign the e-petition to request that the government make bellydancers and tribal dancers exempt from the VCR Bill. It will take a huge volume of dancers and people who support dance to sign the petition to make a difference, so please take the time to sign the petition and support us dancers.

Ta
Denise


Could anyone on my flist who is a British citizen or resident please sign the petition so that bellydancers can continue this art-form. Dancing with swords is a real skill, and we're not a violent bunch *g*, so it would be a shame for it to die out.

Downing St Petition is here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BellyDanceSwords/

Comments

[melissa2u.livejournal.com]

Who knew belly dancers were such a threat to nonviolence?

[mysteriousaliwz.livejournal.com]

I know - it's all those earthquake shimmies, they're a danger to the public *nods*

[fredbassett]

Even more bloody Govt bollocks!!

But did you see that case recently where a judge cleared a police dressed strippogram who'd been done for carrying an offensive weapon, ie a truncheon? That was at least a one blow for common sense.

I'll happily sign the petition.

[mysteriousaliwz.livejournal.com]

It's ridiculous, sledgehammer to crack a nut stuff. As if this is going to stop the criminal element getting hold of offensive weapons.

Good grief.

Thanks for signing :)