Proposed Res. No. 705-A
Resolution recognizing and celebrating the 30th anniversary of legal performance in the New York City subway system.
By Council Members Cornegy, Cumbo, Constantinides, Gibson, Koo, Rose and Rosenthal
Whereas, Freelance artistic performance, including the acceptance of donations, has been legal on the platforms and mezzanines of the subway system since 1985; and
Whereas, The legal right to perform in the subway was deemed rooted in the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States in the Manhattan Criminal Court case People v. Manning, decided in 1985; and
Whereas, Artistic performances and the individual freelance performers who provide them have become an intrinsic and defining feature of the New York City subway system; and
Whereas, Artists throughout New York City wish to exercise their right to lawful performance without fear of intimidation, arrest or ejectment from the transit system; and
Whereas, September 10, 2015 marked the 30th anniversary of People v. Manning and the codification of legal performance in the subway system; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes and celebrates the 30th anniversary of legal performance in the New York City subway system.
LS# 4856
9/10/2015
JM