* Facebook Daily FreeSAM Posts by C Drew
1/7b/10
The court room of Judge Stanley Sacks was crowded with people accused of forgery and other paper money crimes so our history setting case was postponed until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 18th – again in room 602 at 26th and California. Our initial research shows that no where has the issue of a citizen audio-recording their own arrest been tested constitutionally. Stay tuned. We are making history.
5/7/10
This is the day that Judge Stanley Sacks decides if the State wants to see if a jury will put me in prison for up to 15 years for selling art for $1 on State Street in the United States of America or to dismiss this First Class Felony eavesdropping charge against me. Will the Judge decide that your money should pay to imprison an artist who defends your rights with art in public? Stay tuned for the answer today.
5/6/10
Tomorrow’s the day – my lawyer’s response to the State’s Attorney’s claims are masterful and availible to read below. A First Class Felony for selling art for $1 on State Street. Oh – I know they call it eavesdropping on the cop that arrested me. Please…you know what it was! The world knows what it was! We intend to make it what it was to protect you or go to prison trying. It was selling art for $1 to the people.
http://www.art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/motion-to-dismiss-weinberg_response_final_drew.pdf
5/4/10
WZRD radio air my case Thursday evening to for me to explain the importance to you of my First Class Felony Eavesdropping case. I will say if your car is stopped and a city cop insults everyone in it while your girl friend records the event on her cell phone my case will tell whether it is the policeman who gets in trouble or your girlfriend who goes to prison for up to 15 year. What kind of future do you want?
5/2/10
The Street Artist Adventurer will be at Kinzie and Wells, the northeast corner of the Merchandise Mart, where I will be printing from 11-2pm today, Sunday before hosting our free screen print workshop for artists at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. Checkout the article about New York City’s artists fight and my comments below it at http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/30-1
5/1/10
Spend a piece of May Day visiting the Street Artist Adventurer at Kinzie and Wells, the northeast corner of the Merchandise Mart, where I will be printing from 12-8pm today, Saturday, 5/1 Enjoy.
4/16/10
Free from the thought of tax filing, I can devote my thoughts to the freedom to speak in all its forms and all logical public locations, amateur beside acclaimed, activist next to oils painter, political holding hands with the apolitical abstract in an expanded marketplace for ideas. And yes, we have a right to live by all this…to support ourselves by it in public. - as per U. S. A. First Amendment case law.
4/12/10
There is a price to pay for everything, freedom included. Please pay your dues by helping us to screen print art-patches on Wednesdays (2-7pm) and Sundays (3-6pm). Help us create more freedom in Chicago.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
4/11/10
Free Screen Print Workshop today at 1630 W Wilson Avenue from 3-6pm, come help us print art-patches for the Art Patch Project to build up the art we have to give-out to the public to educate the public to the City’s violation of our speech rights to sell art in public.
4/9/10
I’m printing at the ART PATCH PROJECT debut.at “Art, Access & Activism,” at Columbia College Chicago Arts & Media Summit for artists and activists discussing access to the media at 1104 S. Wabash 8th floor. We just reached 100 designs.
http://artsmediasummit.wordpress.com/schedule/openingmorning-sessions/
Stop by and pickup a few new free art-patches fresh from the press!
4/7/10
ART-PATCHES to appear at “Art, Access & Activism,” at Columbia College Chicago Arts & Media Summit for artists and activists discussing access to the media. It’s the ART PATCH PROJECT debut. We just reached 100 designs.
http://artsmediasummit.wordpress.com/schedule/openingmorning-sessions/
It’s a two days Thursday and Friday at 1104 S. Wabash! Stop by and speak at the bughouse square mic
4/5/10
The debate is over “what is art” and “who can sell art” in public. It is about the public’s use vs corporate use of public land. Who decides use? The answer to these questions holds the freedom to live up to our most cherished values of the First Amendment and open to door for artists and others to become public in America the way they are in other nations (most of whom do not have a First Amendment). Expect more!
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
4/2/10
ART-PATCHES to appear at “Art, Access & Activism,” a
Columbia College Chicago Arts & Media Summit for artists and
activists discussing access to the media.
It’s the ART PATCH PROJECT debut. We just reached 100
designs.
http://artsmediasummit.wordpress.com/schedule/openingmorning-sessions/
It’s a two day event April 8-9th,… Thursday and Friday of next week at
1104 S. Wabash!
3/25/10
Tomorrow will the Art Patch Project throw art to the winds and sow seeds of new ideas. And blog to the world the act….til then never let them steal your joy.Its all about Friday, 3/26/10, help make Chicago more friendly to artists, help us give art away. 3-4pm, Michigan Ave at Adams St. under the north Lion and from 5-6pm at Picasso Plaza or phone 773-678-7545 – the Art Patch Project art-give-away.cd
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
3/24/10
Back from my workshopGot an e-maaaail to writeIts 10:43 at night.Tomorrow’s tomorrow willthe Art Patch Project throw artto the winds and sow seeds ofnew ideas.And blog to the world the act….til then never let them steal your joy.Its all about Friday, 3-4pm, Michigan Ave at Adams St. under the north Lion and from 5-6pm at Picasso Plaza or phone 773-678-7545 – the Art Patch Project art-give-away.cd
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
3/23/10
An artist speaking out against an unconstitutional City law is arrested by Chicago Police and charged with a 1st class felony for audio-taping his own arrest. He goes to Cook County Jail on a $20,000 bond. In a traffic stop the passenger audio-tapes the policeman. The audio airs on the WGN TV. The officer is investigated. Why is an artist on a path to prison and another citizen not charged for the same action?
3/22/10
This is the crunch week for the Art Patch Project. Friday, 3/26, we give-away community art – art submitted by artists supporting full speech rights for Chicago’s citizens – printed on 100% cotton cloth. Full rights means that you have the right to sell your speech for what it is worth to others in public. It means you have the right to survive by your speech. It is a job for those who can. Help us Wednesday prepare.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
3/21/10
Our screen print workshop for artists (and volunteers who are willing to be regular) is today, Sunday from 3-6pm. You are needed to print the screens by many different artists. Come, learn to screen print by screen printing art to help make Chicago more friendly to artists at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Your voices are powerful.
3/20/10
Reported on WGN radio and in the Chicago Tribune is the story of a passenger who audio-recorded a officers racist rant while he wrote the driver of the car three tickets.
How long will officers resist the temptation to charge you with a 1st class felony for recording encounters – especially when the officer is harassing you and discovers they’ve been recorded? Answer: shortly after I am convicted of eavesdropping.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-police-racial-comments-20100319,0,3145831.story
3/18/10
I will be at Federal Plaza at 5-6pm for the Anti-War Rally there today, 3/18/10, printing free art-patches including two vintage anti-war art patches.
3/17/10c
Here is the link to todays WBEZ Chicago Public Radio link to the report by Lynette Kalsnes on artists’ free speech fight we are waging.
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=40678
3/17/08b
WBEZ radio at 91.5FM will air its report on our challenge to
the peddlers
license and the eavesdropping law today, Wednesday
March 17th.
This feature is repeated
today in the afternoon on local All Things Considered
(time to be determined by the anchor….)?
Please pass on the word.
We will link to the archived broadcast in our next e-mail.
3/17/10
WBEZ
radio at 91.5FM will air its report on our challenge to the peddlers
license and the eavesdropping law today, Wednesday March 17th.
This feature is tentatively
slated to air
tomorrow on 848 (between 9 and 10 a.m.,
then to repeat today in the afternoon on local
All Things Considered
(time to be determined by the anchor….)?
Please pass on the word. We will link to the archived broadcast in our next e-mail.
3/16/10
Police cars video every stop. Cameras in public watch you. The government is able to listen in on phone conversation’s anywhere. They can filter the entire Internet for keywords. The City has 50 new matchbook size cameras to move around in public. And cell phones recording audio and video are everywhere? But to gather information on the police that might prove they are violating your rights is a 1st class felony.
Http://www.c-drew.com/blog
2/13/10
“Most of the vending rights in NYC were won when artists, vets and other vendors resisted the city’s anti-vendor policies, fought the BIDs (Business Improvement Districts), sued in court and won. If it was up to city officials or BIDs, vending would have been completely eliminated long ago.”
Robert Lederman
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=artistpres
2/12/10
I will be printing patches from noon on at the Zine Exhibit at Columbia College’s Conaway Center
at 1104 S. Wabash until 5pm. Stop by and get a free art-patch or two. The Chicago Zine Fest is an independent event creating an outlet for small press and independent publishers to showcase their work. http://chicagozinefest.org/node/29
3/10/10
Hey – we are there today – printing art-patches for the Art Patch Project art give-aways, at 1630 W. Wilson at the American Indian Center. Learn how to print unique prints with multiple ink colors in the screen at once. Wow! We are inclusive not exclusive and our teaching is free. Can it be? And you can help us make Chicago more free, too. Printing hours today are 2-7pm. Call 773-678-7545 for info.
3/9/10
The process of art – creating out of your mind – is liberating because expression frees the mind and spirit. Corrupt leaders like we have in Chicago do not like liberated artists on the street showing the public how to be free. We are intimidated into conformity in Chicago. The “power” will have it no other way. A 1st class felony for the artist who dares speak – that’s the Chicago solution. Fight the power. Help us.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
3/8/10
We had only one person attend our Screen Print Workshop this Sunday so we did not print any art-patches. This is not the way to change Chicago. On the good-side – that person made an art-patch design that pushed our art-patch number to 100.
3/7/10
Screen Print Workshop today, Sunday, 3-6pm at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. We are printing patches for Friday, 3/26 from 3-6pm when we do the Art Patch Project in the Loop again. The next chance to print is Wednesday from 1-7pm. New designs need printing. Help us have enough patches for Friday March 26th.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
3/6/10
An artist from another town said they could never shake the memory of the 1968 police riot and Daley’s shoot to kill order. I said we still have to work on that attitude and that is another reason artists need to take their rightful place in public in Chicago because without artists present the spirit of the people is weakened and more susceptible to oppression in its many forms. Workshop 3-6 today.773-678-7545
3/5/10
Today watch the Arts Journals front page video. Nancy Bechtol’s video is featured at
http://www.artsjournal.com/
- check it out. This struggle is about the average Joe whose voice in Illinois court rooms can not contradict a policeman’s lie. If they lie about you today and you prove it with an audio-recording you will go to …jail for between 4-15 years, and the lying policeman will be paid for his day.
3/3/10
Tomorrow watch the Arts Journals front page video. Nancy Bechtol’s video will be featured at http://www.artsjournal.com/ - check it out. This struggle is about the average Joe whose voice in Illinois court rooms can not contradict a policeman’s lie. If they lie about you today and you prove it with an audio-recording you will go to jail for between 4-15 years, and the lying policeman will be paid for his day.
3/1/10
The Chicago Critical Mass was cold. Still, I printed – not much
though – later at the Rumble Arts Center I printed up a hot storm.
The latest video by Nancy Bechtol is out and the latest photos by Ron
Grenko are posted on my blog. http://www.c-drew.com/blog Pass on the word…
http://www.c-drew.com/blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sau30Mo8mxI
2/28/10
Screen Print Workshop today, Sunday, 3-6pm at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. This is the first Sunday to print patches for this Friday, 3/26 from 3-6pm (like this time slot) when we do the Art Patch Project again. The next chance to print is Wednesday from 1-7pm. New designs need printing. Help us have enough patches for Friday March 26th.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/27/10
Respectfully to Jonathan Jackson: Please use Mayor Harold Washington’s “Chicago Cultural Plan” as your future cultural policy. Update the process with a new comments period and a new on-line community-arts-included process asking for answers to the question – “how can the city encourage the arts now and for the future.” - c drew
http://www.art-teez.org/cul_plan.htm
2/27/10
Friday I put in my appearance before the Judge, my lawyer got the 30 days he asked for to submit our motion for dismissal. We return 3/26/10. We are testing two bad laws, the peddlers license law that blocks the sale of 1st Amendment protected art in Chicago and the eavesdropping law that makes it illegal for you to audio-record Illinois police who hassle you. help print art-patches at 1630 W. Wilson tomorrow.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/26/10
Today it is ON this afternoon in the Loop 3-6PM …. come on down for an hour or so and give the art away. Wear a t-shirt (over your coat) for the cause of free speech. call 773-678-7545 after 12:00 to rsvp or to connect with us on the way after 3:00 when we start the Art Patch Project action!
2/25/10
Get the word from my felony trial from me.tomorrow afternoon, 3-6pm in the Loop. We will give art away. If you can help, come, call 773-678-7545 to connect but also print out our route from the link and know we will be at the Picasso Plaza from 5:00 to 6:00 celebrating with the Chicago Critical Mass bike riders. The Art Patch Program public art presentation is on, tomorrow 3-6pm in the Loop! Come, connect, act…
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/24b/10
What did we do today? Two artists from the Biblioteca Popular developed an art patch. Three of us stretched a screen together resulting in 3 screens. One artist stayed to coat the screens for photo process and print a run of art-patches with me. A third artist, 22 years old and full of the exuberance of youth, was excited about the Art Patch Project. She made a screen of her own art and says other youth want to help.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/24/10
Ha-ha - I love it… online searching… e-mailing and calling national and international press… finding hooks for each contact that could become a story… our story… our story wandering around the world…wow … there is another contact hooked! I’m off to 1630 W. Wilson to prepare the Art Patch Project art give-away for this Friday… call 773-678-7545 to help or come over between 1-7pm today.
2/23/10
Its all about Friday from 3-6pm. Tomorrow at 1630 W. Wilson volunteers help prepare from 1-7pm. On Friday I go to 26th and California in the morning (10am room 602) and in the afternoon from 3-6pm volunteers meet me in the Loop (call 773-678-7545 to connect up) to give away art in the Art Patch Project. We’ve got our first international exposure on a Vietnamese website.
2/22/10
WOW – our story of arrest in front of Macy’s is the number one video on Macy’s Boxxit site – the place companies promote interest in their businesses on-line! Its your story now – its not about me – its about change. It’s not long before this goes viral and yet we are so small and weak. Who will help us grow? Wednesday 1-7pm, Friday 2/26/10 from 3-6pm in the Loop 773-678-7545 call to tell us you are coming.
http://www.boxxet.com/Macy_s/Section:videos/
2/21/10
Screen Print Workshop today, Sunday, 3-6pm at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. This is the last Sunday to print patches for this Friday, 2/26 from 3-6pm (like this time slot) when we do the Art Patch Project again. The last chance to print is Wednesday from 1-7pm. Help us have enough patches for Friday.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/19/10
The School of the Arts Institute of Chicago published a link to Nancy Bechtol’s video on our struggle to change the peddlers license in Chicago and the eavesdropping laws of the State of Illinios. This is a step toward the SAIC discussing the issues for artists in our actions. slowly slowly…
http://saic.site-ym.com/news/36323/Nancy-Bechtol-MFA-1984-video-aired-as-part-of-CBS-News-piece-.htm
2/16/10
Chicago Progressive Examiner – Sergio Barreto writes
Sergio Barreto writes for the Chicago Progressive Examiner on 1/28/10 on the state of the First Amendment. My felony case is his second story covered in this article “2010 First Amendment Prognosis: Guarded.” Our story continues to reach a larger audience and the trial has not even been set, yet. Your comments on my wall will be added to a future art exhibit. Please comment!
http://www.examiner.com/x-2929-Chicago-Progressive-Examiner~y2010m1d28-2010-First-Amendment-prognosis-Guarded
2/15/10
ACLU weighs in on Chris Drew’s 1st class felony charge for eavesdropping on his own arrest. Everyone with an updated cell phone should understand the need to change Illinois law to allow citizens to protect themselves in court with evidence audio-recorded in public of our public servants in action. http://aclu-il.org/blog/archives/2010/01/local_artist_fights_for_first.shtml
2/13/10
The Art Patch Project is walking art around the laws that ensnare us with the help of the TRUTH.
Local journalists see the sense in our arguments. TimeOut Chicago presents our case in its basics. Thank you Jake Malooley, the journalist and Ron Grenko, the photo journalist.
http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/museums-culture/82496/free-speech-activist-fights-eavesdropping-law
2/12/10
no apologizes to the many who use facebook as a playground. keep on playing. No apologizes for my long - serious posts. I’m having fun my own way ha-ha…. Hey, I slipped into the Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery last night, introduced myself to an artist friend in the “Pathways and Portals“ exhibit opening there and was screen printing her art-patch for free for the crowd talking about freedom – check it out
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/exhibitions.html?ExhibitID=202
2/11/10
Hello friends - you can comment on my creative felony case on my Wall or right under this rant. Art on the streets - freedom to gather the info we need! To have your comment posted on my blog (link below) post to my wall.
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
2/10/10
Just got a call from a man who is a whistle-blower in Southern Illinois. The police there have charged him with five felony counts of eavesdropping to silence him. It is important to document how police and public officials are using this unconstitutional law to shield themselves from public scrutiny. We will change Chicago and Illinois. Will you help. Start by adding your comments. E-mail them to umcac@art-teez.org
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
2/9/10
Just finished a radio interview regarding the Chicago peddlers license that prevents artists from selling art in public or creating art scenes in public and the Illinois eavesdropping law that prevents you from protecting yourself in court when police don’t tell the truth. You have a First Amendment right to sell your expressions in public and to collect the information in public you need to make sound public policy.
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
2/8/10
The Boston Criminal Attorney blog writes about an eavesdropping case in Boston similar to mine in a state, Massachusetts, that is a two party consent state like Illinois that requires all parties to a conversation to consent to being audio-recorded. The man arrested in Boston for eavesdropping on police in public is suing the City of Boston for violation of his speech rights.
http://www.bostoncriminalattorneyblog.com/2010/02/did_boston_police_brutality_mo_1.html
2/7/10
Wow – I just figured out I can make a page on my blog for these Facebook page postings. Hey – we missed the exhibit deadline because I was left alone to finish the work and did not do so. Help is the cure here. Screen Print Workshop today, Sunday, 3-6pm. Special project – exhibits! Come help make some…from our patches.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/6/10
Air - the air we breath, the environment we swim in….like freedom or lack of it, the emotional environment we live in, artists on the street or not on the street…a series of choices we make that govern how we live…we are at a crossroads, we choose freedom and our artists or we choose a police state. Which choice will you make? Breath deep….before you answer. Comments invited…
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
2/5/10
Today I am going to complete the first Art Patch Project exhibit. It will be portable. It will have a place for information fliers, it will be reproducible for little cost. In fact, I think I will begin work on the second exhibit this afternoon. It can appear in many places at once. Why not! Who wants to help?
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/4/10
STOP THAT ART! – Both laws we challenge are broadly written and unconstitutional. The peddlers license bans artists from making a survival living most places in the City it is possible to sell art and the Eavesdropping law prevents you from protecting yourself against police abuse. What kind of city do we live in? Secret police activity that can’t be recorded in public and art activity broadly banned from the public!
2/3/10
Missed one exhibit tonight but we began the preparation for a different exhibit. We are about to show the City of Chicago what artists have contributed so far to the Art Patch Project. We are approaching one year of the Art Patch Project. It is time to “report to the community.” In addition to Sunday 3-6, we will be establishing hours for volunteers to help prepare during the week.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
2/2/10
Our screen print workshop for artists (and volunteers who are willing to be regular) is on Sunday afternoons from 3-6pm. You are needed to print the screens by many different artists. Put us on your calendar. Come, learn to screen print by screen printing art to help make Chicago more friendly to artists at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Your voices are powerful.
http://art-teez.org/spw.htm
2/1/10
Columbia College is covering our issues and actions! We are putting our effort into informing the grass-roots. In years past these publications reached a few. Today links can bring them to the world.
Columbia Chronicle: Arrested artist said he is fighting for everyone’s First Amendment rights
by Patrick Smith http://columbiachronicle.com/legal-battle-begins-for-freedom-of-speech/
1/31/10
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. If you want to see artists selling art in public in Chicago please comment. http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/30/10
The Screen Print Workshop will be open tomorrow 3-6pm, 1630 W Wilson Ave. Learn to screen print or improve your skills. Help us print Art Patch Project art-patches to help change Chicago so artists can sell their art on the streets and in the parks of Chicago. Make a difference. Fight the powers. The freedom you take is the freedom you make!
1/29/10
Derrick Blakley of 5:00 News on Channel 2 covered my felony arrest with class. Look on the right hand side below the WBBM Video frame and click on the first thumbnail link. Thanks again to all who came out to give art away today. We are changing Chicago! We had ten volunteers on the coldest day of the winter and we gave away all our printed art! http://cbs2chicago.com/local/artist.chris.drew.2.1458494.html
1/29/10
CBS Channel 2 just completed an interview of me and my lawyer on the subject of the felony charge for eavesdropping on police during my arrest for selling art in public in the Loop in Chicago on 12/2/09. It will be shown on the 5:00 news and be available online after that. Check it out!
1/28/10
Fight the powers when C Drew goes to court at 26th and California tomorrow, 1/29/10, 9:00 am, Room 602 and help with the Art Patch Project art give-away in the afternoon in the Loop from 3-6pm! E-mail umcac@art-teez.org to help give art away in the Loop. We will start on State Street in front a Macy’s at 3pm and finish at the Picasso (Daley Center Plaza) at 5:15.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
1/27/10
I completed my community service for the ticket I received for selling art in the Loop on 11/13/09. We can proceed to challenge the City of Chicago in Federal Court on the constitutionality of the peddlers license. They may send me to prison for audio-recording police during my arrest 12/2/09 but they will not stop us from changing Chicago. If you want to see artists selling art in public in Chicago please comment.
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/26/10
In 1907-10 the Wobblies responded to towns’ unconstitutional municipal laws limiting their speech rights by filling the jails of town after town with volunteer speakers who were willing to spend a day, a week or a month in jail to win a right we take for granted. Am I wrong to think artists of Chicago do not yet love their speech rights to this extent today? Lift a finger to make your comments known.
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/25/10
Like the wobblies of 1910, today in Chicago artists are similarly banned to the margins by the peddlers license and the policies of the Chicago Park District. I will fight and go to jail if necessary for your right to sell art in public. Artists who support this right for themselves and other artists are helping by submitting a design to the Art Patch Project (see link below). Do you care about everyone’s rights?
http://www.art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-instructions.htm
1/24/10
1/23/10
Http://www.art-teez.org/pr/091230-eavesdropping-charges-to-silence-artists-speech.htm
It’s interesting. The Wobblies in the period of 1905-1910 fought a free-speech battle for all of us that established our right to speak on a soapbox in locations like the Loop. Cities – to prevent Wobblies from talking to the workers passed laws against public speaking in effective locations banning speakers to the margins where no one was listening.
The Wobblies responded by filling the jails of town after town with volunteer speakers who were willing to spend a day, week, month in jail to win a right we take for granted and a right that the “rightous” of the town deemed an acceptable law, at the time it was written.
1/22/10
Lets all run around audio-recording cops in Illinois and swell the jails with first class felony cases just to laugh at the system – ha-ha-ha-ha….I’m in jail for 4-15 years for pressing a button on my cell phone without the the permission of the authorities…http://c-drew.com/blog Who is brave enough to give art away in America?
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
1/21/10
Lets audio-record cops with our cell phones and swell the jails with first class felony cases just for fun – ha-ha..let them know what we think of an eavesdropping law that outlaws gathering information about your treatment in public by the police while they monitor your e-mail, your phone conversations, your google searches, and watch your every move from video cameras around the City. http://c-drew.com/blog ha-ha
1/20/10
My goal is to post everyday but I fail. I fail, ha-ha…. but I succeed in 5 out of 7. Not bad…good enough? Tomorrow I get up at 5am to clean our streets with a broom and a shovel in the fresh air. Think of me around 10:30 am as you sip some coffee or gargle some water. I will wear many layers and do just fine. I will do it proudly for the artists who one day will dot the City with their colors and ideas.
1/19/10
We are getting good interest in my felony case for audio-recording my own misdemeanor arrest from grass-roots publishers, neighborhood blogs and community newspapers. Soon I will complete my community service for my Friday the 13th ticket (11/13/09) for selling art without a license in the Loop. Why am I doing this? Http://www.art-teez.org/pr/091230-eavesdropping-charges-to-silence-artists-speech.htm
1/18/2010
This is a great day to organize. Martin Luther King would approve. Lift up your voice and speak-out about something you feel strongly about. Celebrate your dreams. Fight for freedom at home. I will use it to find help giving away art on 1/29/10 in the Loop, a completely legal activity without the need of a permit of any kind. Giving away art to fight for freedom is non-violent and effective. To help visit …
1/16/10
Special thanks to MLK for showing us how to make non-violent change. The Art Patch Project is a creative non-violent change initiative to gain our full speech rights in Chicago. Someone from this site http://icjpe.org/news/?id=355 found my words and posted them. You know the people are ready for change when they do things like this on their own. Screen Print Workshop tomorrow, 3-6pm. 1630 W. Wilson Ave.
1/15/10
How is it that artists in Russian cities have more rights to sell their art in public than we have in Chicago? What does this say to the rest of the world? What does it say to you? What will you say about our lack of grass-roots, street level opportunities to survive by our art in Chicago for our next art exhibit? Nothing or something? Your voice is powerful. Use it at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/14/10
Learn to screen print your by screen printing patches in support of the right of artists to make a living in public in Chicago on Sundays 3-6pm at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. Be positive that art can overcome greed and it may. Hey-hey-hay! Comment on it for our coming art exhibit at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/13/10
We continue to accept your comments at umcac@art-teez.org for our art exhibit highlighting artists rights to sell art in public and the city’s response to send me to prison for eavesdropping on police during my law testing arrest. The police do not want you to be able to audio-record police. This is about your basic right to protect yourself and others from police abuse.
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/01/12-5
1/12/10
Wow – the Gappers Block covered our struggle for Free Speech in Chicago. Please send me a comment to umcac@art-teez.org (with comment in the subject line) that I can add to our future art exhibit. http://gapersblock.com/merge/archives/2009/12/21/art-shouldnt-be-a-crime/
1/10/10
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. The community keeps telling my story. This YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pa9qTwWeIs
is entered in the Illinois Humanities video contest. Speak out.
1/9/10
The Screen Print Workshop will be open tomorrow 3-6pm, 1630 W Wilson Ave. Help us print Art Patch Project art-patches to help change Chicago so artists can sell their art on the streets and in the parks of Chicago. Make a difference. Community media supports our efforts. Read what The Urban Coaster says - Rogers Park Community Newspaper -
http://theurbancoaster.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=560
1/7/09
Did you know that there is a law in IL that makes it illegal to record your own arrest? Chris Drew, executive director of the Uptown Multicultural Arts Center, found out the hard way. I caught up with Chris in Uptown this week and he tells us what happened. Check out his blog too. Http://www.outsidetheloopradio.com
1/6/10
We are planning lots of fun things to hi-lite the insane aspects of the peddlers license and the eavesdropping laws. My intention is to fight through the Federal Courts to the end. We will not let you down. This is about change. Everything we do will be legal. We already have standing in court by the State’s and City’s actions. It’s on! Help out. Repost this link.
http://art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-volunteer-opportunity.htm
1/5/10
Join the Art offensive 1/29/10, 12-6pm. This will be fun - giving away art-patches around Loop college campus locations in teams of two with at least one person with a camera on each team. We will give out lots of art. Then we will bring the photos together on-line to show the world what we are about! Art! Ha-ha….now let them try to spin that. To volunteer e-mail umcac@art-teez.org Help change Chicago using art.
1/4/10
My goal is an artist friendly city attracting artists from across the midwest with creative opportunities at the first rung of the community arts latter to support creative types who seek them out. An open city that encourages artists to be seen, heard, and encouraged to sell their arts in the parks, on the streets and anywhere possible as long as the public safety is not threatened or the public’s way blocked.
1/3/10b
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Come learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Have you e-mailed comments on C Drew’s up-coming felony trial for our exhibit yet? Comments at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
1/3/10
For selling art for a $1 in the Loop, testing the peddlers license, a misdemeanor, and audio-taping his own arrest in public, C Drew is tried for a 1st class felony. Protect your right to audio and video taping your encounters with police and support artists’ rights on Friday, 1/29/10. Volunteers will give art away in the Loop in a legal protest action. E-mail umcac@art-teez.org to help change Chicago?
1/2/10
The Screen Print Workshop will be open tomorrow 3-6pm, 1630 W Wilson Ave. Help us print Art Patch Project art-patches to help change Chicago so artists can sell their art on the streets and in the parks of Chicago. Make a difference. Fight the powers. The freedom you take is the freedom you make!
1/1/10
Blackeye peas turned out very delicious and nutritious. I am excited about challenging the State of Illinois this year to give you the right to audio-tape your own arrest. It should be your right according to the First Amendment. The danger of conviction for a first class felony is clear. I do this for you. Please take a moment to email me your comments for our coming art exhibit. Your voice is powerful. Speakout!
12/31/09b
How do I plan to fight the first class felony for audio-taping my arrest protesting the peddlers license by selling $1 art-patches, a misdemeanor, in the New Year. Cook blackeye peas, cornbread and catfish, drink Yellow-Tail wine and laugh at he moon with my wife. Then we organize to tell my story to Chicago and the world
12/31/09
I was a little depressed after court. Not because my first class felony trial for the crime of “Eavesdropping on Police” during my own arrest took one step further along, but because it is the holidays and I was alone giving the art away downtown to people mostly ignoring everything. Today I’m looking for seven souls in Chicago brave enough to give art away free to the public.
12/29b/09
After my first-class-felony-for-selling-art court date we will meet tomorrow 12/30 out at the spot of the crime. It is legal to give art-patches away and we have them to give.
We’ll be out by 10am. After 11am call 773/678-7545 to help give art away FREE. Meet us in front of Macy’s between Randolph and Washington 12-1pm. Remember to comment in our coming art exhibit at c-drew.com/blog if you haven’t already.
Lets give and invite the press every time I have to go to court. It will be fitting fun!
Bring a clip board and an email sign-up sheet for those who want to follow our progress toward freedom on both the Eavesdropping and the peddlers license. They are connected. They are connected because anytime you go searching for freedom the system brings out their freedom frustrating hassle laws and methods to prevent that freedom from occurring. The Eavesdropping law is one of those freedom frustrating laws. Its a felony to protect yourself while being arrested. If that doesn’t frustrate the search for truth and justice I can’t think of a better way with one fell swoop to limit both truth and justice.
12/29/09
The latest Nancy Bechtol video “C Drew Answers Eavesdropping Charges” is out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-K_dTlzs5M
My court date is tomorrow at 9:00am 26th and California - afterward we will LEGALLY give art-patches away free in front of Macys where I was arrested. To help e-mail umcac@art-teez with your cell phone number. I’ll call you when court is over.
12/27/09
The Reason.com online zin’s Senior Editor writes about railroad of
artist C Drew in Chicago. Check out the comments - below the article
see the red ribbon with white type and click on “see all xxx
comments”. and you can read and post your own opinion. These
comments are going into our own art exhibit coming up that will
combine the art-patch art with the comments defining the issues and
the struggle.
12/27/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Come learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Checkout this article by Reason Mag on my arrest http://reason.com/archives/2009/12/14/chicagos-thick-blue-wall
12/26/09
The Screen Print Workshop will be open tomorrow 3-6pm, 1630 W Wilson Ave. Learn to screen print or improve your skills. Help us print Art Patch Project art-patches to help change Chicago so artists can sell their art on the streets and in the parks of Chicago. Make a difference. Fight the powers. The freedom you take is the freedom you make!
Appearing today – from 9-11 on WLUW – 88.7 on your FM radio dial – I will discuss my arrest for the misdemeanor of selling art for one dollar and the charges the State’s Attorney is pursuing of a first degree felony of audio-taping my own arrest. Only in Illinois are we outlawed from protecting ourselves from police abuse. Comments at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
Update: Due to technical problems the Heartland Radio program did not air on WLUW 88.7 this morning. The show was video taped and will be available in about a week. I will provide a link to it when it is up. E-mail umcac@art-teez.org and ask to be on our FreeSAM newsletter list. In most states in America you can protect yourself from abuse by taping police when they arrest you. Photo giving art away at Picasso Plaza.
12/25/09
heading down to make a screen-print space in the basement. Deborah has banned me from her rugs and carpets cause a ink stoked squeegee flopped ink down on her carpet last time I printed in the living room and she responded. Does it wash out? No! Down to the basement I go…to print my Critical Mass Art Give Away at Picasso Plaza at 5:00pm. Http://www.c-drew.com/blog I’ll report after the run.
12/23/09
Volunteers to GIVE ART AWAY needed. Help fight for FREE SPEECH by giving art-patches away. Call 773-561-7676 home of the ART PATCH PROJECT
Apply by email or on Sundays in person at the Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center.
12/22/09
Wow - a discussion is brewing over the future of the Art Patch Project and the attempt by the City to quiet speech by mis-applying the eavesdropping law to crush an idea. Ideas don’t crush – people may be crushed but ideas live on. Share some ideas at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/ - your voices are powerful.
Help the Art Patch Project gives art away. Come help print the art the Art Patch Project gives away. Help give the art away. I was arrested for selling art for $1 on State street (a misdemeanor). The judge continued a charge leveled after my arrest of “audiotaping my arrest” or felony eavesdropping on my arresting officer and dropped the charges of selling art. A discussion is growing at c-drew.com
The public opinion is our target. This seems like a “distraction” but it is really an “attraction” if we, intelligently, make good use of it. We need to print and give away patches to reach the public and to demonstrate in public what this is all about. If we clam up and depend on playing the court game only in the State’s Attorney’s court room we will lose and they will marginalize our voices.
12/20/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Come learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Please comment on the City trying to silence my effort to make Chicago friendly to artists.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1918823,peddler-taping-cops-arrest-120309.article
12/19/09
Last Screen Print Workshop of the year tomorrow 3-6pm, 1630 W Wilson Ave, help us print Art Patch Project art-patches to help change Chicago so artists can sell their art on the streets and in the parks of Chicago. Learn to screen print or improve your skills. Make a difference. Fight the powers. The freedom you take is the freedom you make!
12/18/09
Stop that art – both laws the City charged me with are broadly written and unconstitutional. The peddlers license bans artists from making a survival living most places in the City it is possible to, the Eavesdropping law prevents you from protecting yourself against police abuse. What kind of city do we live in? Secret police activity that can’t be recorded in public and art activity broadly banned from the public?
12/16/09
One day artists will gain their rights in Chicago to sell on the streets but not until they are willing to sacrifice for that right. The Art Patch Project is a win for artists and a win for artists’ rights. Submit a design to be printed and passed out visit http://www.art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-instructions.htm for details.
12/15/09
ACLU is interested in our case. They say that protest activity like ours is protected from felony charges of eavesdropping. My next court date is 12/30 at 26th and California. We are defending artists’ rights to sell on the street. Express your thoughts for our future art exhibit - email me at umcac@art-teez.org and read others comments at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/
12/14/09
Hey-hey – new press release on my arrest and arraignment for a felon of taping my own arrest while protesting the peddlers license that prevents artists from selling art in the Loop and just about any other logical location in Chicago. Your comments are invited umcac@art-teez.org and read the release at
http://art-teez.org/pr/091207-suntimes-reports-outrage-as-normal.htm
12/12/09
The screen Print Workshop for Artists is Sunday, tomorrow, from 3-6pm. Just two more workshops this year at 1630 W. Wilson Ave. Hey - comment on my felony charge from selling art downtown, read the Suntimes article and comments at http://www.c-drew.com/blog/comments-on-suntimes-article-creative-felony/ and send comments to umcac@art-teez.org
12/9c/09
Help, arrested for selling art (misdemeanor) in the Chicago. The tape recorder I used to protect me
from police abuse became their excuse – felony eavesdropping – the charge. Today they dropped the art sales charge but are intent on making me a felon. Next court date 12/30. Register to comment and add
your thoughts below - …thanks?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1918823,peddler-taping-cops-arrest-120309.article
12/9b/09
The state can tape record your conversation during an arrest on the street to protect them but in Illinois they say I am guilty of a Felony if I try to protect myself by recording them. Today in court the judge decided there is probable cause that I committed a felony while selling art for $1 in the loop and my trial begins December 30. How is that for free speech, Chicago? America? Are you proud?
12/9/09
Off to court. Waiting to find out if it is going to be populated with kanageroos or humans.
12/8/09
Tomorrow at 2452 W Belmont (Belmont and Western) I am expected in court at 9am. If you can’t come I understand. Please lift a few fingers to visit this link and comment on this case! We need your thoughts for our future art exhibit. Please comment on Chicago’s justice joke - my felony case.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1918823,peddler-taping-cops-arrest-120309.article
12/07/09
for a Class 1 felony, other than second degree 5 murder, the sentence shall be not less than 4 years and not more than 15 years;
12/06/09 How many Chicago police does it take to arrest an artist? Watch the video to find out. Here’s the link to the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72_ZzJCfESc
12/06/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue. Please comment on my felony case.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1918823,peddler-taping-cops-arrest-120309.article
12/05/09
It is so good to be home. The Screen Print Workshop is on tomorrow 3-6pm. I go to court at 2452 W Belmont on December 9th for felony charges of audio-recording a police officer that was arresting me. It is entirely possible that after that I will be in prison for this horrible crime in Illinois of protecting oneself from the abuse of police by recording their conversation during your own arrest.
12/xx/09
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/walltowall.php?id=100000388340788&banter_id=1434530679&ref=nf
That is so farout coming from you, Akbar! Stay strong. I would love to cooperate! Love…. your mother’s portrait still hangs in our gallery and I remember how she squirmed while the Brother Artist sketched her. She was just a little adverse to having him do her portrait (to say the least) but he had proven himself on the street drawing people’s portraits on State Street and other locations in the loop - drawing fast portraits on white paper plates - so he captured her anyway!
c drew
12/xx/09
(post a) There is a debate in our judicial system about the role of art in our society. Should artistic speech, the speech of those who define our cultural values, be as important as political speech, this is the question debated. We are raising the value our courts ascribe to art in our society. This is important to all artists, even those of you who will never use the street to sell your art.
(post b) Important but difficult legal article (link) with clear conclusions. On how artist uprising around the country are defining a new standard for art and artists’ speech rights.
12/04/09
C. Drew is free from Cook County lockup after being arrested for a misdemeanor of peddling without a peddlers license in the Loop and a felony for audiotaping the arresting officer during his arrest. My court date is Dec. 9th at 2452 W. Belmont at 9am. The police leaked the story to paint C Drew as a felon? Please comment on this case.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1918823,peddler-taping-cops-arrest-120309.article
12/03/09 (not posted on 12/3 due to unjustified incarceration)
Is art and its community practitioners an honorable respected voice of the people or is it and they lowly scumbags to be hidden from society – as low as the panhandler or lower in respect in the sight of the First Amendment and the cities of our nation?
12/2/09
Today at noon, between Randolph and Washington on State Street, C Drew will risk arrest for selling art to bring the issue of the value of the arts in public into Federal District court to add fuel to a debate raging about the importance of art to society. Come with a camera to volunteer and to support this cause. Help create arts opportunities in Chicago and raise the value of art in our society.
12/1/09
Tomorrow at noon, between Randolph and Washington on State Street, C Drew will risk arrest for selling art to bring the issue of the value of the arts in public into Federal District court to add fuel to a debate raging about the importance of art to society. Come with a camera to volunteer and to support this cause. Help create arts opportunities in Chicago and raise the value of art in our society.
11/30/09
What makes the Chicago peddlers license such a violation of our free speech rights is that it was designed for vendors selling unprotected items like umbrellas or socks, not art or music DVD’s. But Daley and his captive City Council applied it to our speech and wiped the artists off the streets of Chicago with this law. Google the Free Speech Artists’ Movement for info
11/29/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists is printing new and old Art Patch Project screens today, Sunday, from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue.
11/28/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists will be printing new and old Art Patch Project screens this Sunday from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee for free at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue.
11/27/09
Lookout for an art give-away announcement for Dec 2 or 7th in the Loop. Art Patch Project art-patches will be handed to the public free with a smile and a flier of info pinned ready for use. Ha-ha…. - the Free Speech Artists’ Movement. (Photo by Hermann Wieland)
11/23/09
While I am ticketed in Chicago (11/13/09) for selling art in a prohibited district (the Loop), the founder of A.R.T.I.S.T. in New York City, Robert Lederman, is arrested for the 42nd time (yet has never been convicted) on 11/23/09 for selling art in a posh park in New York City. When he calls a protest in NYC one hundred artists will show up in a rain storm. We must grow our organization. Tell your friends.
11/22/09
Wow – Nancy Bechtol video from Friday November 13th when I challenged
the City and received a ticket to Federal Court. We can bring our case
to the people who believe in freedom and free speech. Help us
tell our stories to make Chicago more
friendly to artists. Link to this. Tell your social network friends
about this. Make it go viral!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDT336Jw3Vs&feature=email
11/20/09
From Weinberg vs City of Chicago
“It is well settled that a speaker’s rights are not lost merely because compensation is received; a speaker is no less a speaker because he or she is paid to speak.” Riley v. National Fed’n of the Blind of N.C., Inc., 487 U.S. 781, 801 (1988). See also Ayres v. City of Chicago, 125 F.3d 1010, 1014 (7th Cir. 1997)
Selling art in Chicago requires a license while giving art away doesn’t
11/19/09
The story is up – our e-mail is out announcing that we have a lawyer. If you want to know more about our struggle to make Chicago more friendly to artists e-mail me at umcac@art-teez.org and ask to be on our FreeSAM mailing list. Hey – the Streetwise article is at http://www.art-teez.org/pr/091028-4-Streetwise.pdf
11/18/09
It’s up! http://www.c-drew.com/blog Our report with visuals from last Friday when we won our ticket to Federal Court. Checkout this story! It took four cops to write it!
11/17b/09
(Wow - I’m excited posting soon c-drew.com/blog)”…People often equate someone selling art as involved in a criminal activity because the police treat us as such. This has a great chilling affect on the public’s willingness to relate to an artist on the street in Chicago which is a direct result of the enforcement of unconstitutional laws… In Chicago the vast majority of artists are not seen in public…enjoy Joy
1l/17/09
(coming soon at c-drew.com/blog)
“…People often equate someone selling art as involved in a criminal activity because the police treat us as such. This has a great chilling affect on the public’s willingness to relate to an artist on the street in Chicago which is a direct result of the enforcement of unconstitutional laws. … In Chicago the vast majority of artists are not seen in public…
11/16/09
The City of Chicago wants you to believe you will not be able to walk down the streets in the Loop if they allow artists’ their speech right to sell their art in public. They said that when the homeless sued for their right to ask you for spare change, as well. The homeless won their right and you still walk down Chicago’s streets safely. Don’t believe their hype - stick up for artist’ rights in Chicago. (photo by C. Drew)
11/15/09
Our free Screen Print Workshop for Artists at 3-6pm today at 1630 W. Wilson will prepare for a major Art Pactch Project event
http://www.art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-instructions.htm
on State Street to fight for our rights to sell art in public in Chicago by printing patch art. Come help!
11/14/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists will be printing new and old Art Patch Project screens this Sunday from 3-6pm. Support Artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue.
11/13/09
I’m is back from the Art Patch Project sale under the Macy’s clock at State and Randolph in Chicago. I got a ticket for selling art in a “prohibited district” and was warned I would be arrested if I continued. I continued to sell and earned $32.
To learn what happened after the ticket wait for my FreeSAM e-mail list (umcac@art-teez.org )
or when I finish my detailed report with photos visit my blog at http://www.c-drew.com/blog. Sincerely – C Drew
11/13/09
Wow – I’m excited to test the Chicago Peddlers License again today in front of Macy’s under the clock at high noon by selling may art and the art of selected artists of the Art Patch Project. The struggle for freedom is exhilarating. Try it sometime.
11/12/09
T -shirts advocating legalization of marijuana were medium of expression prima facie protected by Free Speech Clause of First Amendment, and did not lose their protection by being sold rather than given away. For time or place regulation to be valid when it constrains speech in public places, such as streets and parks, that are traditionally open to people who want to engage in public speech, regulation must not impede communication more than is necessary to achieve legitimate and compelling public interest behind regulation, while leaving ample alternative means for people hit by regulation to get their message out.
http://www.c-drew.com/blog/ayres125-f3d1010-1017.htm
11/11/09
The City of Chicago’s habit of placing management companies in charge of public plazas and parks like the Picasso Plaza and Millennium Park and using those companies to violate our speech rights is shown to be unconstitutional in Berger vs the City of Seattle http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/9th/0535752pv3.pdf
We can make Chicago more friendly to artists through the courts.
11/10/09
When the City has an urgent need to write a law that limits speech First Amendment case law demands the City write a narrow law that limits speech the least but Chicago writes broad laws that limit art scenes in Chicago to zero. Visit c-drew.com/blog for details.
11/09/09
It is said the golden rule is those with the gold make the rules. Who made the rule we need a peddlers license to gain our First Amendment right to sell art and added three pages of districts we can’t sell in Chicago (mostly in commercial areas)? visit c-drew.com/blog for more on artists’ (your) speech rights.
11/08/09
We hear politicians daily brag about our freedom and those fighting for freedom overseas. Never is “freedom” defined. A piece of the definition must be our right to sell our speech in public. Screen Print Workshop today – 3-6pm at 1630 W Wilson Avenue. 773-678-7545
11/7/09
Is our society free if its artists (its thinkers) are prevented from surviving by their thoughts through local laws that allow them only to give their speech-work away but critically limit them when they sell it in public. The judges who write Federal case law appear to think we have that right to sell our thoughts-art in public. What do you think?
11/6/09
The Screen Print Workshop for Artists will be printing new and old Art Patch Project screens this Sunday from 3-6pm. Support artists’ rights to sell art in public in Chicago. Stop by and learn how to print with a squeegee at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue.
11/05/09
Can you imagine scenarios using the Art
Patch Project work that use similar guerrilla tactics as outlined
in this article from London. Who has similar stories from the “States”
or even Chicago we can bring together as examples to
study? Hey - …inform me …
http://www.art-teez.org/free-speech-movement/fs-art-patch-project-instructions.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/nov/01/mark-thomas-guerrilla-knitting
11/04/09