Rally Friday for First Amendment Rights

Questions about the proposed film regs? Juliana Luecking breaks it down.

Fed-up New Yorkers will rally at Union Square at 6:30 pm on Friday to protest against yet another piece of proposed legislation that aims to squeeze even more of the freedom and creativity out of our increasingly sterile yet still beloved city.

A particular worry is a new law proposed by the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting that could negatively impact even the most amateur of photographers and filmmakers looking to take pictures or film around city sidewalks.

Picture New York Without Pictures—a new coalition of concerned filmmakers and photographers— will be joined by the Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir, the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Critical Mass riders, and others for a celebration of the First Amendment, and a protest against the proposed film regs and other laws that seek to impose limits on dancing, bike riding, and assembly in the city. (What is this Footloose?)

The city, which made the rule change public on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, will be accepting public comments on the rules until Aug. 3. Picture New York has set up an online petition where New Yorkers can voice their concerns about the proposed regulations. A complete copy of the proposed rule changes can be found here.