LAS VEGAS (AP) - A Las Vegas nightclub has curtailed the length of its weekly hip hop night after police warned that the music could be contributing to fights.
That has prompted civil rights activists to complain that the warnings amount to a form of censorship.
"The pattern should be deeply concerning to everyone who cares about the principles of free speech," said Gary Peck, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada.
About nine months ago, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young sent a letter to the Gaming Control Board to urge the gaming industry not to book "gangsta rap" acts in Las Vegas.
The move came after a series of local shootings left four gangsta rap artists dead in two months last summer. And on Feb. 1, Las Vegas police Sgt. Henry Prendes was shot and killed by aspiring rapper Amir Crump, who also died in the shootout with police.
The owner of Moose's Beach House, Joe Gormley, said he cut short his Wednesday hip hop night by 90 minutes to 1 a.m. after Las Vegas police came by his club several times this year, at least once in response to a fight.
Police warned the club to take precautions after the outbreak of violence at another club that plays hip hop music called The Beach.
"I find when a certain age group is drinking heavily, music influences their behavior," Gormley said. "Switching off the hip hop at 1 o'clock when everyone is just starting to go over the edge ... it's a good idea, and since I've done that, I've had no problems."
Las Vegas police said they did not attempt to censor the club or influence the playlist.
Officers would be remiss if they did not warn business owners about circumstances that led to violence at other locations, said Las Vegas police Sgt. Chris Jones.
"We've had a number of shootings, near riots, large group fights, robberies and sexual assaults at The Beach, so much so that the club began using overtime officers on a regular basis," he said.
"We have an obligation to advise citizens and area businesses of potential issues that could jeopardize their safety."
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