Support Brooklyn's Underground, Stand Against Unfair Charges
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Help Us Defend Against False Charges, Support Brooklyn's Underground Scene, and Keep SLIST Alive
On Saturday, July 12th, during our 37th SLIST event, the NYPD and FDNY stormed in, shut us down just two hours in, and arrested me - Saimon, the founder of SLIST - along with one of our staff members who was simply scanning tickets at the door.
Despite asking multiple times, the police refused to tell us why we were being arrested. We were held for nearly 12 hours without explanation, until minutes before being transferred to Central Bookings when they suddenly hit us with charges for possession with intent to distribute - an outrageous accusation.
Let me be clear: Neither I nor any SLIST staff brought any illegal substances to this event. We believe the police couldn’t identify the actual culprit and pinned it on us as the most visible organizers. On top of that, the FDNY issued SLIST ~15 building violations, even though we do not own or control the venue.
Even our clothing vendor, HUMAN ERROR, who was displaying his art and his girlfriend who was simply there to support, were each hit with improper $1000 fines under a law for vending food. They only had printed shirts and artwork displayed.
Our tattoo vendor had his license revoked and now has to appear in court.
Our DJs, some of whom, traveled hours from outside of the city and across the country, were left without answers for days while we were arrested without due process.
Even our guests were individually questioned and harassed just for being there.
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About SLIST
For those who don’t know, SLIST was born out of a passion for dark tastes, music, art, and culture - a safe, inclusive space for people of all backgrounds to explore the human condition through sound, movement, and connection.
Since December 2023, we’ve hosted hundreds of DJs and thousands of guests, across venues such as The End, SILO, Listen Brooklyn, Little Haven, Nebula, the Chocolate Factory, and even our first boat party this year. We’ve thrown parties in lofts, in the streets of Brooklyn, at Plum Beach, and supported causes through charity events and donations - including over $2,000 to third-party charities like Safe Rave who promote harm reduction practices at nightlife events, and also other charity events for our community members who've needed support with medical issues.
Our events are about community, creativity, and dark culture. Yet, it feels like the NYPD and FDNY are targeting us to make an example, using heavy-handed tactics, baseless charges, and building violations that aren't even ours to bear.
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Why We Need Your Help
We believe the truth will come out, but the reality is: WE HAVE TO SPEAK OUT NOW. Legal defense is expensive, and these charges - even if dismissed - could ruin lives, careers, and the community we've built.
Your support will help us:
- Fund our legal defense for the current charges for all affected individuals and parties at the event
- Cover potential bail costs
- Hire expert legal counsel and consultations
- Develop better legal, operational, and security protocols for future events
- Ensure the survival of SLIST - with even safer, stronger, and better-organized parties
- fund massive events with all remaining funds if we can survive this, and a large guest list for all of our donors
We’ve been raided, swatted, and investigated before - but this is the first time we've actually been charged with anything. It’s a wake-up call: we’ve grown too big to keep operating without stronger protections.
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If you’ve ever danced with us, played a set, joined the guest list, or shared in the magic -
We need your help now more than ever!
Let’s keep SLIST alive, keep our scene thriving, and ensure we’re never silenced by intimidation.
Thank you for reading, supporting, and dancing with us.
We’ll see you back on the dance floor - soon.
Co-organizers (2)
Sai H
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Scott Kuffner
Co-organizer