Buskers Say NYPD Is Harassing Subway Performers

[marmar]

Buskers who perform on subway platforms and trains gathered on the steps of City Hall Tuesday to protest what they say is harassment from the NYPD. The protesters said that the crackdown by police — with tickets and the occasional arrest — is unwarranted.

"People want to come and see us, not just me as a dancer, but also the musicians," said Bronx resident Andrew Saunders, 20, who was arrested last year for dancing on the train. "This is New York City culture, it shouldn't be pushed away, it should be embraced."

The MTA permits people to perform and solicit donations as long as they stay on subway platforms or mezzanines and off actual train cars.

But Besn Kheru was arrested while singing on a subway platform, in addition to two arrests for singing on the train. He said in many cases, artists are just trying to make an honest living and support their families. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wnyc.org/story/buskers-say-nypd-cracking-down-them/

[xchrom]

1. one of the bright spots the world over are street performers.

the nypd is being silly.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. So very true!!

[LiberalElite]

4. Good. As it says in the first sentence,

these are subway and train performers that the NYPD is targeting.

What the NYPD is doing isn't new. Years back in an effort to have some control over the would-be stars who do their thing for spare change but not kill off one of the things that makes NYC interesting, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) instituted a program called "Music Under New York" whereby anyone can audition and then if they pass, they get to perform in designated busy areas with a nice, official banner showing their name and contact info. Winners get to do this WITHOUT BEING HASSLED BY THE COPS. The performers can also sell cds.

As these performers can be seen in prominent locations, I would think the program is pretty well known. There are many talented musicians, singers and dancers performing in the NYC subway system, officially sanctioned and not. I often think that any of them could easily win an American Idol contest over most of the faux oversinger wannabees on that program. But, there will always be some who either don't know or don't care about dealing with the formalities, so dealing with the cops comes with the territory.

Currently the NYPD is particularly after the train performers who have begun jumping around, careening through the subway cars and actually swinging from the poles and handholds while a boombox or whatever they call it these days, blasts music not everyone is thrilled to have to hear. There's no room in a subway car for this stuff. You can't get away from it. It's aggressive behavior and a not fun experience to be a captive audience. But, escaping to another car is not really an option as some of the doors are locked and it's dangerous to try it anyway on a moving train. Someone's going to get hurt by flying feet and then the "performers" will be off at the next stop. This time my applause is for the cops.

[appal_jack]

6. On-train performances are one thing, busking in the stations is another.

On-train performances are one thing, busking in the stations is another. On a train, a lot of people are confined in a small space, and performers will inevitably be a nuisance. But NYC subway stations have many corners and wide hallways where an unamplified performer can busk without any cause for police harassment. Some of the most intriguing pieces of live music and exciting breakdances I have seen have been underground in NYC subway stations.

k&r,

-app

[Bluenorthwest]

2. What a stupid choice NYPD is making. Busking is part of NY, part of what makes our whole culture

tick. Blue Man Group started on the streets of NY. Such artists as Laurie Anderson and Robin Williams have performed in the streets of NY in their early days. The streets are a performance lab, the streets of any big city but most of all the streets and subways of NYC should be considered sacred busking ground.

[LiberalElite]

5. See above - it's underground not the street.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. I included the subways in my words, had you read them.

NYC used to be. Now it is not. Discuss.

[brooklynite]

7. For those who are -not- from NYC, let me clarify what's going on...

The Police are -NOT- going after musicians, who have both civil right protections, and an organized program by the MTA to promote music in the subway. The SPECIFIC issue here are acrobatic dancers who perform on subway card while the trains are moving and crowded:



They are moving in close proximity to passengers (not just by the doors) and there are concerns that somebody's going to get hurt.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. And on what basis do you claim that Dance is exempt from civil rights protections that musicians

have? A very odd statement. 'Concerns'. Uh huh. What a vague word to use.

[msongs]

10. maybe train passengers prefer to not be kicked in the face (or other body parts) while traveling nt

[brooklynite]

11. Plenty of dancers in the stations not being hassled...

Just on the rains in close proximity to passengers.

[KittyWampus]

12. maybe you missed there is a program that gives performers a license to perform around

mass transit and street corners etc.

And I have zero tolerance for any kind of performer ON the subways.

There is no way to get away from them. Making people your trapped audience is screwed up.

[lpbk2713]

13. Some of the best talent you'll find will perform for free or donations.

This is not NYC but check it out.

[CBGLuthier]

14. Playing for Change is a great documentary.