In this Friday, May 6, 2016 photo, street performer Mallick Young plays trumpet on Congress Street in Boston. Officials are considering regulations on street performers citywide because they say breakdance crews and bucket drummers performing a few blocks away in front of Faneuil Hall, one of Boston's most visited tourist sites, are using inappropriate language, playing music too loud, aggressively soliciting donations and bullying other performers out of the high traffic area. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
May 10, 2016 - 9:24 PM
Boston is considering a crackdown on street performers including breakdancers and bucket drummers in front of one of its most historic tourist sites.
City officials might impose a permitting system for street performers citywide in response to complaints about the dancers and drummers in front of Faneuil (FAN'-yuhl) Hall, where American colonists began the earliest calls for revolt against England. They accuse the performers of using inappropriate language, playing loud music, aggressively soliciting donations and bullying other performers out of the high-traffic area.
Break dancers including Universal Fair say they're being unfairly singled out. The non-profit arts group Community Arts Advocates says imposing a citywide system isn't needed and could infringe on artists' free speech.
City officials say they aren't looking to trample on constitutional rights but oversight is needed.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016