This song was written about certain events that took place at GLOW, Sharon Holnback's Annual Art and Music Festival in Oracle, AZ. Below is my statement to the Pinal County Sheriffs Department.

It was one of those rare, beautiful events where a mass of peace loving folks had gathered to enjoy an evening of art, music and socializing. My band, the Carnivaleros, was preparing to perform when we got a call from our violinist Heather Hardy from the main highway. She said that the authorities would not let her in and they were extremely rude to her. We told her to park at the Circle K and I borrowed one of the volunteers cars to drive over and pick her up, as she had some heavy gear to bring in. As I got to the main highway, there was one sheriff's car parked there with the officer standing beside his car with no other traffic or parked cars in sight. I asked him if I could cross the highway, pick up Heather and come back the way I came, mentioning that I have a parking spot from where the car was previously parked. He said "No, once you leave you can't return". So I turned the car around and parked, assuming Heather would have to drive back to Tucson as little choice was on the table. As I walked the 1/4 mile back to the stage we called her and told her as much but by that time Sharon had managed to get through with one of the small shuttles. So we were pleased that it seemed as if all were well. Then, as we were setting up more equipment the band and the crowd both heard this yelling and screaming headed our way. (The stage area was at the end of the 1/4 mile loop) We all looked up to see five or six officers storming our way, yelling at children and the elderly alike to disperse in 10 minutes or you will face charges and your vehicle will be towed. My reaction was to calmly make a remark into the microphone as such: "The Gestapo have arrived, here's your tax dollars at work so I guess we have to leave". Two of the officers then grabbed me and forced my hands behind my back and cuffed me stating that I was inciting a riot. Well, I think we all know who was actually inciting a potential riot and it wasn't me. Anyway, they dragged me off the stage and pushed me up against a horse trailer. My wife Connie and my friend Marx both tried to approach me and the officers yelled at them to back away from me and do not speak. I was not arrested and no rights were spoken to me. While the crowd tried to reason with them, I remained detained for 15 to 20 minutes until they coerced the crowd to leave. Then the officer who cuffed me asked me if I was going to continue to agitate the crowd. (Hmmmm, they're all gone now...) I said no and he removed the cuffs. On a personal level, I felt abused and humiliated and on a social level I was outraged that a group of thugs posing as our protectors would turn the tables so quickly, violently and rudely on what was a beautiful social gathering.

Gary Mackender
Accordionist and Bandleader of the Carnivaleros