Russia to outlaw Emo?

Emo to be made illegal in Russia?

A new Russian law could make being an emo kid illegal in the eastern European country.

Legislation is currenting being formulated in Russia to heavily regulate emo websites and ban emo and goth dress style in schools and government buildings.

The new laws are apparently being driven by fears that these “dangerous teen trends” encourage depression and suicide.

The legislation was presented last month at a hearing held by the State Durma, where critics claimed that the “negative” emo culture encourages anti-social behaviour and glorifies suicide.

Emo kids were described as teenagers who wear black, have facial piercings and black hair with fringes that “cover half the face”, reports The Guardian

The weekend saw mass protests by Russian emo kids.

In Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, where laws are already being implemented, protestors in a march held signs saying “A Totalitarian State Encourages Stupidity”.

Dmitry Gilevich of Russian emo band MAIO stepped in backing the protests, saying: “Expressing psychological emotions is not forbidden by law.”

However, emo critics remain unconvinced.

Alexander Grishunin, an adviser to bill sponsor Yevgeny Yuryev, described a ban as necessary, stating: “This is the first step in the public discourse.”

The moves in Russia follow criticism of the genre in the UK earlier this year, which saw My Chemical Romance fans protesting at the offices of British newspaper The Daily Mail over their coverage which linked emo with suicide.

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Ravers partially blinded by lazers at show

Up to 30 partygoers at an outdoor rave have been partially blinded by a laser light show.

Health officials confirmed 12 cases of laser-blindness from the event, with reports suggesting up to 17 more.

Some of those affected have lost up to 80 per cent of their vision.

Guests at the Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, Russia, began seeking medical help days after the show, complaining of vision problems.

Heavy rain had forced organisers of the event, which took place on July 5 in the town 50 miles outside Moscow, to put up tents for the all-night dance party.

The lasers, which are designed to illuminate the sky, were reflected by the canopy into the eyes of the ravers, burning their retinas.

An eye expert who treated some of the cases said the chance of regaining vision is ‘already impossible’.

One partygoer said: ‘I immediately had a spot like when you stare into the sun.

‘After three days I decided to go to the hospital. They examined me, asked if I had been at Open Air and then put me straight in the hospital.

‘I didn’t even get to go home and get my stuff.’

Industry website http://www.laserfx.com said focused laser light such as that at the event can cause eye damage almost instantly.

The owner of one Moscow laser rental company blamed the blindings on ‘illiteracy on the part of technicians’.

‘It was partly the rain but also partly the size of the laser.

‘Somebody set up an extremely powerful laser for such a small space,’ said Valentin Vasiliev, whose company did not provide the lasers for the Aquamarine festival.

Cosmic Connection, which promoted the Aquamarine rave, was unavailable for comment.

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They probably looked something like this….