Free Art Give Aways August 11, 2006
The Daley Center should be a place I can sell my work but today I wanted to give it away. I will be testing many locations in the Loop as viable free speech locations where an artist should be able to sell their work at. I will give it away to avoid arrest by those denying us our rights. This will demonstrate that I am not blocking traffic or causing a public safety hazard. When we do go to court we will have a long list of locals to show where and when our rights are violated.
This day no one hassled me. It was quiet. I printed with little disturbance.
Just across the Plaza with a straight line view of me is the Security hut. My every move was observed. If later I ever print an image that disturbs the authorities they can not say they do not allow me to give away my art in this location. I was watched. The Federal courts say there is no difference between giving speech away and selling it. See this link for the complete court ruling - 7th Circuit finds for Weinberg and artists.
After an hour of printing I packed up and moved to Wabash and Madison to a location by an EL entrance near where a man was selling Streetwise newspapers. That is an activity condoned downtown because major newspapers have fought for their rights.
This is a high fashion area - cloths and jewelery stores abound.
An actor stopped and sat down to talk to me. He said that he and a small group of actors he worked with threw down a hat in the loop to perform and were denied their right to entertain - to speak out. I pointed out the newspaper salesman and said we needed to fight for the same rights he has. The actor agreed. This nation is killing people around the world claiming to be doing so for freedom.Artists - we need to unite and fight for our freedom here in this country. You are not free in Chicago!