Houston drops its busking ban, four months after a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional
Anthony Barilla sued the city of Houston to fight the its busking ordinance, and he won. A federal judge ruled in December the law was unconstitutional. On Wednesday, the city formally dropped the ordinance from its code.Houston formally abandoned an ordinance Wednesday that banned buskers throughout most of the city, four months afterFor decades, Houston made busking — musicians and other artists performing on streets for cash tips — illegal throughout most of the city.
The request for council action said Houston Public Works would receive"at most" one permit application a year. Anthony Barilla, an accordionist and longtime Houston resident, filed the lawsuit in 2020. He applied for and got a permit to perform in the Theater District, but soon realized it was not a lucrative spot to play.
The city argued the law was necessary to protect potential crowds of pedestrians gathered around a performer, who may spill into roads and into harm's way, and to protect residents from unwanted noise. Bennett rejected those arguments, saying the city had no significant interest in passing the busking ordinance, and the permitting ordinance was not narrowly tailored.
"As it stands, the permit ordinances, together with the busking ordinance, would allow a large group to perform on a sidewalk without a permit as long as the group does not solicit tips, but a single performer seeking tips must have a permit," Bennett wrote."Presumably, the larger group will interfere with traffic and pedestrian safety more than one performer."
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Police officer shoots man in southeast HoustonA Houston police officer shot a man in southeast Houston around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Leer más »
1 transported to hospital after crash involving HISD bus in southeast HoustonOne person was injured in a crash involving a Houston Independent School District bus in southeast Houston Wednesday, officers with the Houston Police Department said. hisd kprc2 click2hou htx hounews
Leer más »
METRORail allegedly crashes into ambulance in downtown Houston; 5 hurt, including firefighterA METRORail crashed into a Houston Fire Department ambulance while the ambulance was making a turn in downtown Houston Tuesday, the Houston Police Department said.
Leer más »
Hello Kitty food truck is rolling back into Houston this month with two stopsThe Hello Kitty truck is stopping in Houston on its U.S. tour, offering limited-edition...
Leer más »
Houston County Commission declares April 'Community College Month'The Houston County Commission has proclaimed the month of April as “Community College Month” in Houston County. Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe presented Dr. Linda Young, president of Wallace Community College-Dothan,
Leer más »
Hello Kitty food truck is rolling back into Houston this month with two stopsThe Hello Kitty truck is stopping in Houston on its U.S. tour, offering limited-edition merchandise and treats at its two stops in the area.
Leer más »