Rifraff or masked defenders of civil liberties?
A group of street performers called the “Hollywood Characters” won an injunction in federal court Wednesday that frees them to perform and solicit money on Hollywood Blvd, dressed in their customary superhero costumes. A federal judge agreed with the group that Los Angeles police officers had been unfairly using an ordinance against solicitation and sidewalk blocking to shut them down. (Video of Superman and Batman getting arrested above.)
“The court is further sensitive,” wrote Federal District Judge Dean Pregerson, “that although costumed performance may not be a traditional form of speech, it is without doubt a protected one.”
The Los Angeles ordinance is in the same vein as San Francisco’s soon-to-debut Sit/Lie ordinance, which the police department is currently is currently figuring out how to implement.
This injunction leaves the superheroes at least temporarily free to perform. Catwoman’s already been spotted.
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