Street Performers Want Equal Protection

This city of Key West practices a “double standard” of “bias” and “discrimination” towards us street performers who have all the rights, provided to us by the U.S.Constitution –  the supreme law of the land – but are excluded from enjoying our rights. It’s is a direct attempt to violate our constitutional right of “Equal Protection Under the Law”

So, what we have here is a misuse of power on the part of the City Commissioners simply because they know they can do what they feel they can do to certain people of our community, like the street performers to name one, because we are poor folks who can’t afford to fight back in court. They are banning street performers from enjoying their “right ” to the use of a small amp while everyone else can have the continued  use of amplification .

We as street performers should be able, by right guaranteed by the U.S.Constitution, to use amplification.

Have a look at this US Supreme Court case: Kovacks v. Cooper, 336 U.S. 77

So, in all fairness, logic dictates that by law, if you ban street performers, then everyone else should be banned as well and that should include any and all city sponsored events and privately sponsored events where amplified music is played. For example, like Fantasy Fest, Jimmy Buffet concerts and other events that use amplification. As most locals know, there are hardly any good quality musicians on the street anymore, not like there used to be! Why? Because of what the city has done to us !

This madness must be put to a stop, once and for all time, so the city will know that they just can’t continue to break the law !!! Can you help us please !!! We want to go back to working doing what we love for a living !

Kenyatta Arrington

KEY WEST