From Change.org:
Local group circulates petition to reform busking rights
Asheville buskers are petitioning Asheville Parks & Recreation and Cultural Arts Department to support pro-busker rights reform
The petition, which can be found at Change.org, reads:
Asheville is a city based on music and culture. It is also a place where legendary buskers such as, Jimmie Rodgers, got their start on the streets of this beautiful and vibrant city. Keeping laws in place to deter street performance and art only hinder what this wonderful city is capable of, and not to mention, pose a negative effect on tourism. The people of Asheville and tourist alike, love and respect music. So why should this not be reflected in how our Buskers are treated? Other highly trafficked tourist areas for music in the country (including places like New Orleans, St. Louis, NYC, Chicago and other historic United States cities..) and internationally have and hold resources for buskers, such as Buskers Unions -amongst other legitimacies. As professional musicians we ask that we are able to sell or distribute our goods (namely, recordings) on the street while still accepting tips for performing. Which is one amongst several laws against buskers attempting to be enforced and reinforced. No where in our laws does it state that you cannot give out free merchandise for those who make a sizable donation. If we are unable to use this as an acceptable loophole, We motion that we change the laws to permit artist to be able to sell their recordings while still accepting tips; it deters professional musicians and is overly exploitive of our city to expect that we work for free! Busking is an Appalachian tradition that has a huge history in downtown Asheville, and we propose to keep that spirit alive!
Go to the website to sign and share the petition.
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