The art of free speech In the documentary, The Art of Free Speech by Renee Shaw, you’ll meet artists across America and learn of their challenges and triumphs as they exercise their right to freely express themselves in a public forum. You’ll see how Venice Beach, CA became a “Free Speech Zone” through the efforts of local artists in challenging the system that tried to stop them. Meet the hero artists from New York to Utah that have been jailed when they ignored local laws that are unlawful according to the constitution. Learn about supreme court rulings that support art as speech on public property and most of all, learn what the 1st amendment entitles all of us. View trailer (right) avenues4artz@hotmail.com
Bryan Travis, a Utah artist, taking on the courts himself (Prose) and so far winning!
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How do I “express” myself in a public forum?
 
1st - Know your rights!!!  The supreme court has       ruled that expressing ones self in a creative way
(Art, entertainment, etc.) on public property is protected by the 1st amendment.
 
2nd - Contact the city you plan to show at and obtain their “Artist and Entertainers” ordinance.
Some will require a permit (which is illegal) with a fee (which is also illegal) and will describe the time, place and manner requirements (which is legal within reason!) learn more. If the restrictions are ridicules and you want to push the issue you can:
 
       1- talk to the city attorneys, mayor,etc. and
           inform them of their error by showing them
           copies of court cases.
       2- Show anyway. If you get a ticket, are          
            harassed, or jailed, you’ll have great
            grounds for a lawsuit!
       3- Take the city to court. You can challenge
            their ordinance in court. Finding a lawyer to
            take on your case could be tough, since
            most artists are “starving”. Some artists are
            taking on cities themselves!
 
If the city you want to show in does not have an artist ordinance according to the constitution, you are able to show without any restriction of time, place or manner. But that doesn’t mean the city officials will obey the constitution! Most of the time
they ignore it thinking artists  will give up and go away for lack of resources and conviction of ones rights. If you have what it takes to go through the battle, you will most likely win. If you loose in local courts, keep going to higher courts where you will win!
 
3rd - Show your creations! Be polite to passers by, show your stuff in a professional manor, the better your presentation, the better response to your creationss! Don’t block sidewalks, and don’t be excessively loud. And most of all have fun!
                          
Blessings,
Renee Shaw  
The Art of Free Speech