Downtown Brooklyn Bridge Park No Heart for Art

Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC) officials infringed upon artists' rights by trying to prevent them from selling art in the park during an arts festival. The artists were "bullied" in the Sept. 25 confrontation, according to a first-hand account with video on Law of Falling Bodies.

The artists' ordeal raises issues that pertain to all New Yorkers, our rights and future.

According to section b.2 of City Parks and Recreation rules, "Persons may vend expressive matter, as defined in section 1-02 of this title, on property under jurisdiction of the Department without a permit, but must comply with all applicable provisions of these rules."

Yet, the artists were told they could not sell without a permit issued by BBPDC. The mandate is in violation of the parks' rules and in opposition to the First Amendment's freedom of expression. BBPDC's Myer said, on video, the organization was enforcing its "own rules."

Why does this matter to all New Yorkers, including those who do not want to sell art in parks?

On July 19, new persnickety rules were issued pertaining to selling art in parks. Mayor Bloomberg is also pushing to ban smoking in all parks and other public areas such as boardwalks.

After art and smoking, will drinking beverages, eating, playing ball, speaking loudly, laughing or who knows what, be banned next? One could choke while eating or drinking. Loud speech or laughter could disturb people. One could get hurt playing ball.

Will the day come when all we will be able to do in parks is sit on benches? Will there be time limits?

If New Yorkers sit back and let all of their freedoms be taken away, they will be.

Think about it, Downtown B.

Till next time.

Sources:

Chris Johnson, "Brooklyn Bridge Park CORPORATION tries to bully artists out of their rights during DUMBO Arts festival," Law of Falling Bodies

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation,"§1-05 Regulated Uses," NYC.gov

City of New York Parks & Recreation, "New Rules for selling art, photography, reading material, or sculpture in City Parks," NYC.gov