Strippers to protest at State House (Smoking Ban in NJ)

More than 100 strippers are expected to descend on the New Jersey State House Thursday to agitate and undulate for the instant repeal of the ban on smoking in bars that’s on track to become law by this evening.

Organized by two radio rabble-rousers and the owner of the Illusions go-go bar in Florence, the entertainers are aiming their protest at the incoming class of state lawmakers, not the legislators poised to pass the extended smoking ban today.

Acting Gov. Richard Codey last week said he’ll sign the new law right away, saving Gov.-Elect Jon Corzine a political headache and meaning Thursday’s protest of dancers and barmaids will occur after the law is already on the books.

But Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, the radio hosts cued by a report in The Trentonian on the concerns of dancers at Illusions, think they can convince the new legislature to quickly repeal of the new ban.

The idea, said Carton, is "let them see as soon as it becomes law just how offensive it is to everyone in New Jersey.’’ He said the protest "is about small business rights being taken away’’ and cried hypocrisy like those quoted in The Trentonian article.

Growing and smoking tobacco is legal, Carton noted, "and bar owners know their clientele enjoys smoking. But now they’re not going to be able to let people do something that’s legal in their business.’’

Illusions proprietor Eleanore Travia, whose testimony before as Assembly public health committee last week got polite nods from the lawmakers, has been arguing that the new ban incorporates a double standard into state law.

It applies to all restaurants, bars and entertainment forums, except those in the casinos of Atlantic City.

"This is ridiculous! For you to enjoy a cocktail and a cigarette together in a public place, you’ll have to go to Atlantic City and put a quarter in a slot machine,’’ Travia complained.

She said the casinos "paid big money to be eliminated from that bill. They paid off, to get casinos off of that bill."

Travia and her dancers told The Trentonian their entertainment business should have the same rights as the casinos.

After their story came out in The Trentonian, the afternoon drive-time commentators of radio station 101.5 brought the fray to the Jersey airwaves.

By Friday, with help from Travia, as many as 400 strippers and dancers had called the station to express interest in the march on Trenton, Carton said.

One of the first members of the legislature the dancers will get a chance to convince to repeal will be Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the extended smoking ban. Carton said she promised to face the protesters from the State House steps.

http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_012134906.html

SMOKIN' PROTEST

Jan 12, 2006 3:38 pm US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (TRENTON) With curious officeworkers gawking and strip-bar standards playing in the background, several hundred people joined a handful of exotic dancers in front of the Statehouse on Thursday to rally against New Jersey's new indoor smoking ban.

About 20 of the women _ who, to the disappointment of some in the crowd, didn't reveal anything more risque than their midriffs _ said the ban will result in lost clients and lost money.

``It's going to murder our business,'' said Dominique Hernandez, 24, who dances at a lounge in Florence. ``A lot of people want to get off of work, have a drink and a smoke and watch some pretty girls. There's nothing wrong with that.''

Apparently not, judging by the looks Hernandez _ in tight jeans and a revealing black T-shirt _ received from onlookers.

``I'm just passing by on the way to the office,'' was the refrain from many men, and some women, in the crowd.

But many said they came to protest the smoking ban, saying it was a violation of their rights.

``I've been a smoker since I was 13 and it's really against our rights,'' said Allan Brophy, 24, of Union. ``Pretty soon they're going to be outlawing it in our houses.''

Brophy did admit that word of strippers at the rally had ``peaked my interest.''

The rally, trumpeted by two radio shock jocks, featured signs that read ``Defy Anti-Smoking Nazis'' and ``Tobacco Control Is Out of Control.'' In the background, a loudspeaker blared typical strip bar tunes such as ``You Can Leave Your Hat On'' and ``Girls, Girls, Girls.''

``We're standing up for the average Jersey citizen who on their own would never be heard,'' said Craig Carton, one of the radio hosts on New Jersey 101.5.

The ban, which affects bars and restaurants _ but not gambling areas of casinos _ is to be signed into law Sunday by Gov. Richard J. Codey.

The strippers and their supporters said they oppose the ban, which is designed to protect employees and customers from second-hand smoke, because it will hurt business.

Alan Blumenfeld, owner of a Mount Holly club described as a ``gentlemen's day care center,'' said the smoking ban will drive away customers, who he said will cross the Delaware River to Philadelphia, where there are no such bans.

``It's about camaraderie. It's the way it's been for hundreds of years,'' Blumenfeld said. ``The guys who signed the Declaration of Independence were smokers.''

The raucous crowd often interrupted the speakers _ who included club owners and the radio hosts _ with shouts of ``Codey Don't Sign'' and expletives proclaiming their dislike for the ban.

At one point, the crowd fell silent for the singing of the national anthem, which ended with the strippers saluting and many in the crowd waving baseball caps and cowboy hats while chanting ``U.S.A.! U.S.A.!''

Codey, who was holding an unrelated news conference inside the Statehouse while the rally was taking place, joked that he would make his event quick so reporters could go outside. But, he said, the protest wouldn't change his vow to sign the legislation.

``It's been a long time since I've been in one of those establishments, I assure you, but smoking is deadly without question,'' Codey said.

Carton and co-host Ray Rossi have garnered headlines in the past. Last year, they made disparaging comments about Codey's wife, who has talked publicly of her struggle with postpartum depression.

Before the rally, the radio hosts said they decided to team up with strippers to spotlight the issue because strip clubs would be the first businesses to be hurt under the anti-smoking legislation.

And, said Carton, ``Strippers get people's attention.''

Thursday's rally took take place one week into the winter ratings period for radio stations.

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