The unlawful arrest of busker Andrew Kalleen, who has been performing in NYC subways for years, has created an outrage online, with his arrest having received over 1,000,000 views on YouTube.
Kalleen was acting completely within the confines of the law to perform at the Lorimer Street-Metropolitan Avenue G-train stop in Williamsburg, but he drew the ire of one cop when he stood up for his rights, who arrested him only for his ‘defiance’.
The cop stated that he needed a permit to perform in the subway systems of New York, which actually isn’t true.
The MTA rules reads as follows:
“The following nontransit uses are permitted by the Authority, provided they do not impede transit activities and they are conducted in accordance with these rules: public speaking; campaigning; leafletting or distribution of written noncommercial materials; activities intended to encourage and facilitate voter registration; artistic performances, including the acceptance of donations.”
See the full arrest here:
too much
Cops gone stupid
And I’m not a cop hater
Police are out of control in many areas.
This video pissed me off. I think the guy has a great case against the Dept.
I am not a lawyer but wouldn’t the New York State Law prohibiting the playing music for tips without a permit trump the MTA rule that allowed it?
Is he required to have a permit to accept tips?
That was what the officer read Louie, the state law required a permit to solicit tips from what I could hear but my hearing is bad.
I see. I didn’t listen closely enough. I guess if a permit was required it was perhaps a legitimate arrest.
Not all cops are bad. We have you Dennis Bridwell as proof of that!