U.S. Judge Dean Pregerson Upholds 1st Amendment Rights for Hollywood Street Performers

According to the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, "Right, as stated in the 1st and 14th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content." Long story short, Judge Dean Pregerson agreed that the street performers and costume characters
had rights to be on Hollywood Blvd without the threat of arrest or harassment by the LAPD on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. "It may not seem like a traditional form of free speech, but their right to perform is protected under that provision of the U.S. Constitution," wrote Judge Pregerson in his ruling reported by Robert Jablon of the Associated Press.
It was also stated in Jablon's article covered by the Sacramento Bee that "Chamber President Leron Gubler said as many as 60 characters sometimes congregate before dawn in front of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where they crowd tourists into the street and refuse to move unless their photos are taken." I have to refute that claim. It would be too easy to call it a bold face lie,
and that would make me no better than the politicians and the police who lied, slandered and treated all the street performers as a unwanted "gang" instead of treating us as citizens and individuals. The Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler is mistaken, which can easily be proven by photographing Hollywood Blvd at dawn. When was there ever 60 characters on the blvd before 9am? Before Noon? Also I don't know the exact length of Hollywood Blvd but when characters are spread out down the length of the blvd, there is enough room if everyone respects each other.
Show me the evidence. I hate to tell you this most of the characters arrive in the mid day. Definitely not dawn, there are no tourists there at dawn. Also Gubler said something similar to what Kerry Morrison did during an infamous BID Patrol and H.E.D. meeting, "We have had no one - and I repeat not one person - who has said they miss the characters," he said." That also is a lie. I've personally shot numerous videos over the last months
were I have interviewed tourists without editing on what they think about the characters. I have also sent links to the videos to Kerry Morrison's personal email. All this can be documented and proved. I don't like being bullied, slandered, harassed, threaten, given false loitering tickets, or having my or anyone else's 1st Amendment Rights being trambled on. I do not appreciate how Eric Garcetti, Tom LaBonge, Kerry Morrison, The LAPD, The BID Patrol as well as Leron Gubler has handled this matter. 1st Amendment and 14th Amendment Rights were violated.
I have no problem if someone is breaking the law that the police have the right to handle the situation in a lawful manner but to blatantly disregard the law of the land and treat some good people (all of the characters/street performers aren't bad just like all politicians and police aren't good) is unacceptable. Numerous people like myself tried to have a dialogue with the aforementioned and we were insulted, silenced, ignored, harassed and made to wait for justice. So when it comes time to re-elect for said parties, believe me when I say I will not be casting my vote for any of the people involved. I never said the situation on Hollywood was perfect, we have tried to resolve issues and even asked for permits like in Santa Monica but were told that they would cost $1,000 by Kerry Morrison and would take up to three years to process please see my previous article on the ban http://kattalestv.blogspot.com/2010/09/discussing-hollywood-blvd-characters.html
Please feel free to send the following testimonies to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President...

New Zealand Tourist

Young Girl asked about Character Ban


Joe Mcqueen Hulk






Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/18/3195736/hollywood-superhero-street-performers.html#ixzz15q3PTMtp

Carter Comes Back To KAT

People keep asking me if there are any updates to the Ban of the Hollywood Characters. Personally I haven't heard anything new. Trying to get a straight answer from the city officials or the police seems to be a waste of effort. I tried several times to speak to police at the Wilcox Station. I never was able to talk to the Watch Commander. I'm sure he is busy. Anyway, Kerry Morrison of the Hollywood BID told me that no one wanted the characters back and that she hadn't gotten a single request for the performers to come back. I said that was untrue. This is another video, unedited and unrehearsed of some of the fans of the Hollywood Street Performers. Carter who I haven't seen in a long time surprised me today with his fabulous mom and dad. They have brought so much joy to my life just by being who they are. I have had the luxury of seeing Carter grow taller and grow his hair long. Carter is one of the sweetest kids you could ever meet. He would come up and take pictures and he often times would wear costumes like Darth Vader, Spiderman or Batman. I loved taking photos with him. And he has the sweetest parents. So for all the people who don't get why anyone in their right mind would go and dress up like a Superhero, Carter is the best reason. If I brought joy to a cool kid like Carter than I have done something good.

Joelle: A Hollywood Resident Speaks Up for The Banned Characters & Street Performers of Hollywood

I spoke with a Hollywood property owner Joelle recently about her take on the Ban of the Hollywood Street Performers and Costume Characters...

Discussing Hollywood Blvd Characters & Street Performers Banned

I just got finished rummaging around the net looking at what some Flickr Posters have said about the characters. Ross Reyes said "an award should be given to these faux costumed fools for actually making money with absolutely no talent whatsoever." Keta Goes Global wrote, "The real problem is the johns. Oh wait, I mean the tourists.
The ones who are silly enough to WANT to have their photo taken with an actor dressed up as a movie or comic book character. Why don't they get arrested? Oh wait, I mean the johns". Another writer Doubletee said, "Oy, those "characters." I'm down with them being arrested . . . for gross lack of talent or resemblance to those they are impersonating."
It is interesting that people have such venom and make far reaching assumptions without actually knowing evidence and the real issue of the situation. Only one person got it right that I saw during my quick read. jakerome wrote "Loitering-- how transparent, how laughable. Poor city council is about to have an unfortunate run in with this thing we call the first amendment.
See, they can arrest people for loitering if that's the law. But they can't use loitering as a legal excuse to arrest people wearing costumes. That's clearly applying a content-based test to their enforcement of the law, which is clearly enjoined by the first amendment.
The prosecutors are probably smart enough not to file any cases, as they would be thrown out quickly by any decent judge and force an abandonment of the illegal policy. But, in this case, I could see the ACLU or a similar organization stepping in to represent the characters in a lawsuit against the LAPD for unlawful arrest. The policy won't last."
I would have loved to contact those posters personally but I'm a little busy to join Flickr right now. I love when people underestimate me, try to belittle my talents or think they are better than me. Haters Drink Haterade and they get drunk with it.
Lets look at the issues which the mainstream press has grossly over looked. 1st Amendment Rights (being violated), False Arrests and Intimidation by the LAPD, Refusal of the LAPD and the City Council to meet with the performers and come up with a solution, There is no performance permits as of yet even though some of the characters have requested to be licensed, Kerry Morrison of the Hollywood Entertainment District has stated she thinks a performance license should cost $1,000 per year whereas Santa Monica's permit costs $37, Ms. Morrison also stated that it would take 2 years before an agreement could be made and that NO ONE has contacted her about wanting the characters back on Hollywood. Those are just a few of the issues not being reported or discussed publicly. I attended a BID meeting recently where I listened to what Ms. Morrison, as well as a spokesperson for City Council member Eric Garcetti, Andrews International SVP Bill Farrar and others attended. When I spoke up about the incorrect information being said, I was told I had no right to speak by Mr. Farrar. I found that fascinating considering I have been to the LAPD at least 7 times several months ago to discuss the situation. Needless to say I never got a straight answer from the LAPD. After the BID meeting I spoke with Bill Farrar and Kerry Morrison and told them that I have done everything I could have done to work with the city months ago and got no answer. I also said I would be happy to send them evidence to prove my points. Here is just a few videos shot on Sept. 18, 2010.
New Zealand Tourist

Young Girl asked about Character Ban


Joe Mcqueen Hulk


I gave my video of NACHO LIBRE Gets Attacked to help the LAPD prosecute his assailants unfortunately my good will was used as a basis to get rid of the performers. I'm not happy about that. I videoed the crime to stop it. But as someone said no good deed goes unpunished. I hope this post clears up a few things. Before I forget, for all those who think all the street performers have no talent I would like to let you know a few more facts, One former Street Character is on ABC's The Gates, Another has been on TRUBLOOD, A Couple has had several plays produced in Los Angeles, Several Comedians that have had their movies shown at the Beverly Hills Film Festival, A young lady is the guardian of a child that wouldn't be going to school if it wasn't for her sacrificing and making a commitment to her charge, there is a teacher, actors, actresses, a pro photographer, script writers, film makers and others who do this as another stream of income & creativity in these trying times. We also turn around and put money back in the city by frequenting the local businesses in the area: Fresh & Easy, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, Parking, restaurants, clothing stores, MAC (makeup) and costume shops. So before one makes gross generalizations, one should go in and get the facts. Of course there are bad apples in all groups but get those individual apples not the whole bunch. Some people think they shouldn't have to tip the characters, of course you don't but in turn the characters don't have to take a picture with you or for you. A tip is fair for a picture that lasts forever. The people who put time in effort in their makeup, costumes and other expenses deserve it. With the economic down turn, it is easy to pick on all the characters and street performers. People are always looking for a sacrificial scapegoat to slaughter but their are bigger crimes being committed than wearing a costume and asking for a tip if you take a picture with a character. I invite any of the people who think the characters and street performers have no talent such as Ross Reyes, Keta Goes Global, Doubletee as well as Kerry Morrison & Bill Farrar to don a costume and see what it is actually like being a performer on Hollywood. I think your eyes would be opened and you would have a better understanding of how it is. Most people just shoot the photo or video from far away and laugh in the face of being fair. In addendum, I did an interview with a person who performs as Marilyn Monroe in a previous post. Did you know she spent more time (in jail 12 hours for "loitering - blocking the sidewalk" was her charge) than Paris Hilton who was found in the possession of cocaine and was in custody for less than 3. The Marilyn impersonator case was thrown out. So what is justice?