Eight rappers selling their CDs in Times Square claim that the NYPD treats them differently from other vendors in the area, and have now filed a joint lawsuit in which they're suing the city and NYPD. The NY Daily News spoke to several of the rappers, including Andre Jackson, 29, of the Soundview section of the Bronx, who says, "They don't want us making money out here. I've been arrested over 30 times."
He added, "We're having fun out here. We're doing something we're allowed to do. I guess they had their dreams that they didn't fulfill. Now we have our dreams and they want to shut us down."
Most of them have been charged with disorderly conduct and aggressive begging, despite complying with rules that they must stand next to tables to sell their music. The rappers claim that the allegations against them are bogus, and most of the cases have been thrown out.
Instead of pleading guilty to violations, Andre Jackson decided to fight back, "I want it to stop. They never arrest the spray-paint guys. They never arrest the guys who draw pictures of people. That's considered art? My music should be considered art, too."
The group of rappers suing the city is being represented by Katie Smith, a former city attorney, who spoke on the matter, You don't need to like their music or the way they distribute it to respect their constitutional rights."
Source: nydailynews.com
