8 May: D-Day for Performing Artists in NYC Parks - Join us!

Pursuant to my previous post regarding a ban on performers in New York City Parks, on May 8th, this Wednesday, PEP Officers (Parks Dept police) will be giving out a FAQ sheet describing in detail the rights (or lack thereof) of all performers in all NYC Parks. Last Wednesday at a community meeting, the Parks Department had assured performers there will not be any enforcement actions taken against them. Depending on what it says on this new FAQ synopsis of the revised park rules, "performers will have either officially won their rights or begun a new struggle to regain them", according to Robert Lederman, president of A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artist Response To Illegal State Tactics)

I plan on attending the direct action planned on Wednesday by bringing #iTOMB and joining Joe Mangrum, the sand painter at Union Square, Collin Huggins, the pianist at Washington Square and my performer friends from the High Line along with hundreds of other New York City artists as we stand for our and your first amendment rights. And you can help as well. See the three actions below and choose one or all to stand for the right to speak and gather freely in our often billed as free country.

1) Sign the Petition to Mayor Bloomberg and New York City Parks Commissioner, Veronica M. White to repeal the ban on performers in New York City Parks.


2) Contact New York City Parks Commissioner, Veronica M. White, and tell her that you support performers in our parks. This will make your voice heard to those who are serving you.

3) Tweet or Instagram with your #iTOMB photo, "I like #iTOMB @HighLineNYC". This will let park admin know that #iTOMB is much more a community service than a business. News about our 501(c)3 non-profit application, soon.

#iTOMB Azza II 04.09.13