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Lawsuit Seeks Freedom to Busk in Houston
by Matthew Vadum

A musician is suing Houston in federal court over its extraordinarily strict regulations governing outdoor performances in the city, claiming his First Amendment rights are being violated.

The lawsuit challenging the city’s ordinance prohibiting musicians from busking, that is, playing in public for tips, was filed in U.S. District Court in Houston on Jan. 15.

Anthony “Tony” Barilla is an accomplished accordionist who plays in a three-piece cover band and has written and recorded music for National Public Radio’s nationally syndicated podcast, “This American Life,” according to the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a public interest law firm headquartered in Sacramento, California, that represents him in the legal proceeding.

Barilla also writes, composes, and produces music for theater, short films, dance, and radio.

He wants to busk on the streets of Houston, but the city forbids performing for tips except for in the eight-block Theater District.

Barilla has a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor in defending his artistic endeavors.

Continues - site has paywall w/ some free articles each month:

https://www.theepochtimes.com/lawsuit-seeks-freedom-to-busk-in-houston_3211680.html

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