Rocky Mountain Fur Con

2017-12-13T08:32:55Z

Papakiloalpha:

{{Rocky Mountain Fur Con}}
'''Rocky Mountain Fur Con''', often abbreviated '''RMFC''', was a furry [[convention]] that took place every August in [[Wikipedia:Denver, Colorado|Denver, Colorado]] from 2007 to 2016, attracting 1,677 attendees in its final year.

The convention was cancelled on April 10, 2017 after threats of violence at an upcoming event caused the venue to demand paid security guards.

==History==
{{q|Rocky Mountain Fur Con was first organized by the Mid-America Anthropomorphics and Arts Corporation to take place in June of 2006 to cater to the large population of furries living in Colorado and surrounding areas. However, when Anthrocon also announced its date for that same month, the decision was made to postpone the Rocky Mountain Fur Con's debut until 2007.<ref name="about">http://www.rockymountainfurcon.org/about-us.html Retrieved October 13, 2014.</ref>}}

The first Rocky Mountain Fur Con was chaired by [[Kahuki Lairu]] with assistant chair [[Sorin Kat]], and took place at the [http://www.adamsmark.com/denver/ Denver Adam's Mark Hotel]. In its second year, RMFC moved to the [http://denverregency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html Hyatt Regency], but failed to meet its room block requirements, leaving its sponsoring organization [[News:RMFC seeks $30,000 to survive|in considerable debt]], and at risk of having to close the convention.

Nonetheless, Rocky Mountain Fur Con did manage to continue the next year, rescued in part by generous donations from the community.<ref name="about"/> Sorin Kat took over as chairman, and the convention changed hotels again, to the [http://www.hoteldenver.net/ Crown Plaza Hotel]. However, due to cost considerations and problems with the ground floor layout, the convention moved in 2010 to the [http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colorado/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-denver-RLDV-DT/index.html DoubleTree Hotel Denver], where it remained for several years. During this time, RMFC's remaining debts were paid off, and the convention's attendance doubled. In 2013, a charity casino night was organized, intended as a special event to match the convention's "Lucky 13!" theme. However, this event was so popular that it was brought back the following year.

In 2014, Rocky Mountain Fur Con moved to the [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dentc-denver-marriott-tech-center/ Marriott Denver Tech Center], having outgrown the Doubletree.

=== Cancellation ===
{{Details|Rocky Mountain Fur Con 2017}}
{{Flayrah | node1=6903 | title1=Rocky Mountain Fur Con canceled following neo-Nazi associations, tax irregularities}}
Following allegations made by [[Deo Tas Devil]] on [[Twitter]] about associations between the [[Furry Raiders]] and the Rocky Mountain Fur con, Deo was sent a cease and desist letter by Kahuki Lairu,<ref>[https://twitter.com/DeoTasDevil/status/851462631026196484 "I only found out about "Kahuki" Kendal Emery the convicted felon after he & RMFC/MAAAC doxxed me & mailed this fake-legal threat to my home"] - Deo on [[Twitter]]</ref> a RMFC board member, with the blessing of the board,<ref name="dailybeast">[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/04/13/neo-nazis-are-tearing-apart-the-furry-world.html "Neo-Nazis Are Tearing the Furry World Apart"] - The Daily Beast. Dated 14 Apr, 2017. Retrieved 14 Apr, 2017</ref> claiming to be a "contract law officer" and threatening to file for [[wikipedia:Lien|liens]] on her property and wages.<ref name="LL">[http://lawyersandliquor.com/2017/04/free-furry-of-the-land-when-sovcits-and-furries-collide/ "Free Furry of The Land: When SovCits and Furries Collide"] - lawyersandliquor.com</ref> The letter's legal standing was brought into question by [[Boozy Barrister]], a lawyer and writer for the blog "Lawyers and Liquor".<ref name="LL"/> On Monday, April 10, 2017, this received widespread attention in a [[Dogpatch Press]] article, which also referenced past controversy about Kahuki's sexual assault conviction.<ref name="Dogpatch">[http://dogpatch.press/2017/04/10/rocky-mountain-fur-con-threat/ "Rocky Mountain Fur Con backs neo-nazis, sex offender to intimidate critic for reporting threat."] - article on [[Dogpatch Press]]. Dated April 10, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.</ref>

On the same day, RMFC staff announced that Rocky Mountain Fur Con was cancelled, citing "...a sudden and drastic increase in security costs amounting to more than a third of our entire existing operating budget" related to "very public threats of violence against one another by members of this community, as well as the negative backlash from misinformation spread about the convention, its staff and attendees."<ref name="cancellation">https://twitter.com/RMFC_Denver/status/851594157084856320 Retrieved April 10, 2017.</ref>, which according to Kahuki referred to Deo's allegations regarding the [[Furry Raiders]], and tweets about "punching nazis", but not an alleged gun threat Deo had received.<ref name="dailybeast" />

According to [[Scorch]], the additional security cost referred to demands by the Convention's venue, the Marriott Denver Tech Center, to contract the Denver Police Department for additional security, which would have amounted to $22,000, due to the hotel's concerns following the aforementioned threats of violence.<ref>''[https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8174783/ Regarding RMFC]'' - Scorch, [[Fur Affinity]] (12 April 2017)</ref>

An investigation by ''[[Flayrah]]'' revealed significant tax discrepancies, referenced in passing in the convention's statement.<ref name="flayrah">[https://www.flayrah.com/6903/rocky-mountain-fur-con-canceled-following-neo-nazi-associations-tax-irregularities "https://www.flayrah.com/6903/rocky-mountain-fur-con-canceled-following-neo-nazi-associations-tax-irregularities"] - [[Flayrah]]. Dated 10 April, 2017. Retrieved 13 April, 2017</ref> The convention has stated it will use its resources to pay off costs and tax liability, with any remaining funds being used to refund attendance and vending fees.<ref name="cancellation" />

== Programming ==

Rocky Mountain Fur Con had many events and features common to other conventions, including:<ref name="events">[http://rockymountainfurcon.org/events/event-information.html Events page on the official website.] Retrieved October 13, 2014.</ref><ref name="2014schedule">RMFC 2014 pocket schedule</ref>

* [[Opening Ceremonies|Opening]] and [[Closing Ceremonies]]
* An introductory panel for first-time convention attendees.
* A [[Dealers Den]]
* An [[Art Show|Art Show and Auction]] (charity, general, and mature)
* [[Dance]]s
* Educational panels for drawing, painting, fursuiting, writing, music, and other creative endeavors.
* Species-specific panels
* Religious and spiritual gatherings
* Lounges for gaming, drawing, and video games
* A [[Fursuit Parade]]
* Special events for patrons and super-patrons

Typical events specific to RMFC included:<ref name="events"/><ref name="2014schedule"/>

* "Free Can Cook!" A cooking show hosted by [[FreeFox]]
* A show by [[2, The Ranting Gryphon]]
* A [[wikipedia:Nerf Blaster|nerf gun]] battle
* Improv comedy shows
* Themed charity benefit events, such as poker tournaments

== Policies ==

Rocky Mountain Fur Con was a "PG-13" con; minors were permitted in convention spaces with some restrictions, and the code of conduct accounted for this.<ref name="2014ConBook">The Rocky Mountain Fur Con 2014 con book.</ref>

While most aspects of the code of conduct were typical for furry conventions, Rocky Mountain Fur Con was one of only a few furry conventions in the United States that has had to address legal, recreational use of marijuana. RMFC's policy on marijuana was analogous to its policies on alcohol and tobacco. Use by attendees was not prohibited per se, but controlled substances may not be brought into any convention spaces, and attendees were expected to respect all local laws and hotel and convention policies that apply to marijuana use, smoking, and/or intoxication.<ref name="2014ConBook"/>

== Organization ==

Rocky Mountain Fur Con was organized by the '''Mid-American Anthropomorphic and Arts Corporation''', an [[W:S corporation|S corporation]] with [[W:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] status as of 2014.<ref name="about"/> The CEO was Kahuki Lairu, while the treasurer was Sorin Kat.

Day-to-day activities of the convention were managed primarily by the executives and department directors, who in effect acted as the [[convention committee]]. In 2014, these were:<ref name="2014ConBook"/>

* '''Sorin Kat''' - [[Chairman]]
* [[Klandaghi Silentclaws]] - [[Vice-chair|Co-Chair]]
* [[Maxwell Daemon]] - [[Programming]]
* [[Rocky (USA)|Rocky]] - [[Registration]]
* [[Eagle Orion|Eagle]] - Marketing
* [[Snuggles]] - [[Operations]]
* [[Stefan Volf]] - [[Special Operations]]
* [[Wu Wei]] - [[Art Show]]/[[Dealers Den]]

Each department had its own managers and other [[staff]], and a large number of additional volunteers assisted with various tasks at the convention itself.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==

* [http://www.rockymountainfurcon.org/ Rocky Mountain Fur Con] official website
* [http://www.rockymountainfurcon.org/forums.html Rocky Mountain Fur Con] forums
* [http://www.twitter.com/rmfc_denver Rocky Mountain Fur Con] on [[Twitter]]
* [http://community.livejournal.com/colofurs Colorado Furries community] on [[LiveJournal]]
* [https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/displayRevocation.do?dispatchMethod=displayRevokeInfo&revocationId=439403&ein=202837689&zipCode=&country=US&deductibility=&dispatchMethod=searchRevocation&isDescending=false&city=&ein1=202837689&postDateFrom=&exemptTypeCode=al&sortColumn=ein&totalResults=1&names=&resultsPerPage=25&indexOfFirstRow=0&postDateTo=&searchChoice=revoked&state=All... Federal Non-Profit Status]
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2tSWJxp7nrmOHdUTVFYTHdUdzA/view?usp=sharing Mid America Anthropomorphic And Art Corporation Certified State Filed Documents]

=== Media links ===

* [http://www.torontosun.com/2017/04/12/fur-flies-for-furries ''Fur flies for furries''] online article on the [[W:Toronto Sun|''Toronto Sun'']]
* [http://www.nerdandtie.com/2017/04/12/the-bizarre-fall-of-rocky-mountain-fur-con/ ''The Bizarre Fall Of Rocky Mountain Fur Con''] online article on [http://www.nerdandtie.com/ ''Nerd & Tie'']
* [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/04/13/neo-nazis-are-tearing-apart-the-furry-world.html ''Neo-Nazis Are Tearing the Furry World Apart''] online article on [[W:The Daily Beast|''The Daily Beast'']]
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/does-the-furry-community-have-a-nazi-problem-w476466 ''Does the Furry Community Have a Nazi Problem?''] online article on [[W:Rolling Stone|''Rolling Stone'']]
* [http://kdvr.com/2017/04/12/rocky-mountain-fur-con-canceled-over-threats-of-violence/ ''Rocky Mountain Fur Con canceled over threats of violence''] online article on [[W:Fox31|''Fox31'']]
* [http://www.avclub.com/article/even-furries-are-no-longer-safe-neo-nazi-meddling-253748 ''Even furries are no longer safe from neo-Nazi meddling''] online article on the [[W:A.V. Club|''A.V. Club'']]
* [https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/04/11/nazi-punching-lead-to-a-furry-con-cancellation/ ''How Nazi-Punching Lead To A Furry Con Cancellation''] online article on [[W:Bleeding Cool|''Bleeding Cool'']]
* [http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/11/rocky-mountain-fur-con-canceled/ ''Rocky Mountain Fur Con scratched in Denver over fears of violence''] online article on [[W:The Denver Post|''The Denver Post'']]
* [http://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/amid-allegations-of-unpaid-taxes-neo-nazism-and-sex-offender-denver-furry-convention-canceled ''Amid allegations of unpaid taxes, neo-Nazism, and sex offender, Denver furry convention canceled''] online article on [[W:ABC15|''ABC15'']]
* [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/furry-convention-denver-scrubbed-nazi-flap-article-1.3046519 ''Furry convention in Denver canceled amid security concerns over Nazi symbolism''] online article on the [[W:New York Daily News|''New York Daily News'']]
* [https://wonkette.com/615942/tax-dodging-nazi-sovereign-citizen-furries-forced-to-cancel-denver-furry-convention-yes-really?utm_content=buffereab74&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer ''Tax-Dodging Nazi Sovereign Citizen Furries Forced To Cancel Denver Furry Convention. Yes, Really.''] online article on [[W:Wonkette|''Wonkette'']]
* [https://heatst.com/culture-wars/major-furry-convention-canceled-amid-furor-over-nazis-violence-and-a-registered-sex-offender/?mod=sm_tw_post ''Major ‘Furry’ Convention Canceled Amid Furor Over Nazis, Violence and a Registered Sex Offender''] online article on [[W:Heatstreet|''Heatstreet'']]
* [http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/amid-allegations-of-unpaid-taxes-neo-nazism-and-sex-offender-denver-furry-convention-canceled ''Amid allegations of unpaid taxes, neo-Nazism, and sex offender, Denver furry convention canceled''] online article on [[W:The Denver Channel|''The Denver Channel'']]
* [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4412692/Neo-Nazi-furries-uproar-causes-convention-cancelation.html ''The Furred Reich! Furry annual convention cancelled amid community's bitter divisions over rise of alleged neo-Nazi Mr 'Foxler' and the 'altfur' movement''] online article on the [[w:Daily Mail|''Daily Mail'']]
* [http://www.parisfinancial.com.au/who-we-are/small-business-tax-champions Small Business Tax]
* {{con resources}}
{{Discontinued Conventions}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Denver]]
[[Category:2007 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
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Rocky Mountain Fur Con