In 1996 Rudy Giuliani‘s notoriously art-hating administration tried to curb the growing number of street vending artists by requiring permits for sidewalk sales. A federal appeals court decided that the art fell under First Amendment protection, and the artists won the day.

Now the Bloomberg administration is planning to set new regulations geared toward reducing the number of vendors that can occupy public park space at any given time. Apparently the goal is to reduce their numbers by as much as 80% in Central Park, Union Square and Battery Park, as well as on the New High Line Park.

Continue reading “Bloomberg Administration: Curb Your Artists!” →