Monday, December 7, 2009
Artist arrested on High Line again
Watch as 5 Parks police officers arrest artist Robert Lederman for no reason. Also arrested was Jack Nesbitt, who was taking the video. Both of these arrests were violations of the First Amendment.
A Walk in the Park has more.
Can't have artists on the High Line!
(Also note that 5 Parks officers is probably what Flushing Meadows, many times the size of the High Line, has on a good day.)
12 comments:
"Can't have artists on the High Line".
Crapper, if Lederman prevails, every Tom, Dick and Harry "artist" will be able to set up their wares along the narrow stretches. Who will define the word "artist"? How will order be maintained? Lottery tickets for spaces? Fees for officially-approved tables?
Clearly, though, Nesbitt's 1st Amendment right to videotape was violated.
Lederman might just be using his arrests to publicize his "art".
I'm afraid that George is right on this one.
You can't block this narrow pedestrian viaduct.
The "High Line" is already a public safety hazard.
Isn't there a lawsuit against the city by some woman who tripped on one of those ill placed cobblestone walks?
How about Lederman selling his "art" at the entrance to the "High Line" where he won't obstruct foot traffic or cause blockage?
No?
Then he's really an opportunist.
Forbidding Nesbitt's videoing the arrest...provided the camera was hand held...is definitely illegal.
I believe you need a tripod permit (although rarely enforced except for commercial shoots)in a park.
It's seen as a trip hazard...I guess.
But you can easily get one.
The area where Lederman set up shop was a block wide. Read the report and watch the video.
As someone who does photography as a hobby, the fact that he was arrested for video taping which is by all means legal, very scary.
Its a rich persons park so that means we have to play by the rich persons rules. Welcome to NY. Like it or leave it.
A friend of mine was taking news photos and was arrested by the cops a few years ago. He sued and after the lawyers fees, he netted $35,000. Nesbitt is sitting pretty.
So what do we learn from all of this carp (it's not even Queens centric, do I dare)? That you have some inane right to video tape an arrest because it's your "right" to second guess officers of the law? What is really at stake here? Is this an honest to goodness First amendment issue? Or is it some asshat failed artist that's wants to get his continued income from the City's pockets?
Please have some rational objective here.
Look at where this park is. The people that frequent it. Who it tailors to. Why should you give a shite unless it's by your apartment or condo? Let's put this in prospective please, and not give in to some mob rule governed by an others inadequacy.
Archie, where are you? Where are your moral foundations? ;@)
Videotaping an event that occurs in public is not something one requires permission for.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park has a little over 250 times the area of The High Line and it has to be a really good day (or US Open time) to have 5 cops patrolling it.
The only reason why anyone would go to that place is to get a better view of the exhibitionists at the Standard.
I agree that videotaping the arrest is a good idea and should have been done for the safety of all involved.
I'm pretty sure the law is once you ask someone to stop taking photographs of you and they don't, you can then call the police and have them arrested.
I'm not sure what it is for film or video.
The Parks Police are in the end giving themselves bad PR as he already has been allowed to sell artwork in the Parks.
I find it really interesting that they are harassing an American and not going after illegal alien vendors. There are hundreds of Chinese sketchers and massage pests lining Central Park. They come on the subway with their ironing boards and kits in wheeled plastic crates. Arrest the illegal immigrants instead. then deport them, please.
They don't have licenses to practice massage yet they are doing it in the open.
Go outside the Met. The streets are lined with Chinese selling every known piece of crap. I don't even think any of it is real art, it's mass produced. Arrest them instead.
"I'm pretty sure the law is once you ask someone to stop taking photographs of you and they don't, you can then call the police and have them arrested."
Absolutely false. If you are in public, anyone can take your photo, whether you approve or not.
Shhhhush! Don't tell those Chinese outside the Met that the High Line exists. These "artists" will hustle over there if Lederman wins. Hong Kong on the High Line. Delicious. No?
The Parks Dep't can make a compromise by designating locations on the high Line for artists to sell their wares.
While I find Lederman repulsive for comparing Giuliani to Hitler, I also support his right to sell his works.
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