RACINE -- The group that organized a party that was busted by Racine police on Saturday is encouraging the hundreds of partygoers who were ticketed to contact the American Civil Liberties Union. 

Meanwhile, Racine police plan to meet with the City Attorney's Office on Friday to lay out their evidence against the accused, which is the first step in the prosecution process. 

The Uptown Theatre Group's Web site, www.hauntedtheater.com, includes a link to an incident form of the ACLU.  The Web site said the police bust of the fund-raising event was "indescribable, unlawful, chaotic, and a major violation of people's civil rights."

No incident reports had been received from partygoers as of Wednesday evening, according to Micabil Diaz, legal director for the Milwaukee chapter of the ACLU.  "We've been contacted by ( the Uptown Theatre Group )," he said. 

Diaz said the group was told to make the incident form available to those who were ticketed, and have them submit it to the ACLU.  At that point, the information would be evaluated and the organization would make a decision as to whether it would support the partygoers' cause. 

Police ticketed hundreds of people Saturday at what they said was a rave -- a party known for a mix of music and recreational drugs such as Ecstasy.  Organizers of the party said the event was a fund-raiser for the Uptown Theatre Group, a nonprofit organization trying to renovate the old Uptown Theatre. 

Three people were arrested on drug charges and another 445 citations were written out accusing people of being patrons or keepers of a disorderly house.  The party was in the basement banquet hall at Tradewinds Village, 1518 Washington Ave. 

There were about 450 people at the party, most from the Milwaukee and Chicago areas, but also some from St.  Louis, Baltimore and Arizona.  The crow d was young, between about 17 and 25.  Police Chief David Spenner said 60 to 65 were younger than 18, and about half a dozen were as young as 15. 

Gary Thompson, executive director of the Uptown Theater Group, called the party a disaster that ruined the reputation of his organization and Tradewinds.  He said he and those who attended were angry at what they called police overreaction. 

According to his group's Web site, "Everyone who was illegally detained and issued frivolous tickets had their basic constitutional rights violated.  We did nothing wrong by sponsoring our event, and you ( partygoers ) did nothing wrong by attending.  If three people out of 450 were found to have drugs on them, that is their individual problem.  Less than 1 percent of people were found with drugs on them.  They deserve to be arrested.  Our organization in no way supports or condones the use of drugs."

Police reports said officers found more than 100 Ecstasy pills, plus smaller amounts of Ketamine, cocaine andmarijuana. 

Spenner said the drugs were all over the floor after officers busted the party.  "There's no way they all fell out of one pocket," he said.  "The cops did the right thing."

Police will be meet Friday with the city attorney.  Spenner said officers will then lay out all of the evidence they collected and prepare to testify about the party.  However, the decision to prosecute the party-goers will be up to the city attorney.  "If they find out some error was made, that would be taken into account," Spenner said. 

Spenner is also interested in discussing how the parents of the underage teens who were cited will be notified.  "I'm going to press hard to make sure that the parents understand what they consented to have their children attend," he said.  "How that can best be arranged, that's what I'm interested in."

Spenner said the investigation is ongoing.  "We want to make sure everybody that's responsible is held accountable," he said. 

A press release issued on the Haunted Theatre Web site maintains that the annual Haunted House Attraction at the Uptown Theatre was open throughout the month of October as a fund-raising event for the nonprofit group attempting to restore it, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of the historical landmark and the restoration efforts.  The party was supposed to be the finale to that fund-raising effort. 

The group promoted Saturday's Haunted House Party for the last three weeks in October, and was told by police one day prior to the event that it could not be held in the theater because it did not have the proper permit.  Instead of canceling, the group rented the basement of Tradewinds for the party. 

According to a press release from the Racine police, undercover officers, acting on information from the U.S.  Customs Service, went to the party, were directed through the Haunted Theater at 1430 Washington Ave., and then to the basement of Tradewinds Village. 

Sgt.  William Macemon, spokesman for the department, said the officers were sold Ecstasy and Ketamine at the party.  "They observed drug use throughout the party," he said. 

If the undercover officers saw the illegal activity going on, it is reasonable to assume everyone else at the party did as well, Macemon said.  "They should leave," he said.  "If they don't, they're contributing to the problem."