Freedom of Expression Matters: End Arrests for Sidewalk Chalk & Street Performing

Recent signers:
Crystal alonso and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Edit 4/4/26: I shattered my big toe in October and missed a few months of creating...then I got a ticket for possession of graffiti implements (chalk) and causing graffiti unlawful on 3/13/26...Then one week later another ticket for causing graffiti unlawful...We're talking sidewalk chalk in a public park!

None of the charges have stuck. I have spoke at city council over 20 times. Over 2.7k signatures and they continue to ignore this issue.

The police are still ticketing the break dancer/comedian HereToStaySA.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW VIDEO ADDED NOV. 19 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is impacted?

  1. Everyone is impacted anytime We The People lose our freedom to express ourselves
  2. Taxpayers and constituents are impacted when taxes are misappropriated to silence free speech instead of serve our city.
  3. Crime victims who actually NEED police assistance have service delayed while cops are distracted antagonizing innocent citizens.
  4. Parents are impacted as them, or their kids, risk being cited or arrested for chalking in front of the wrong cop.

Background

I created chalk art around the city for years without much issue other than them pressure washing my work away. Then in 2023 after winning a wrongful arrest settlement in Leon Valley the local police started harassing me more. I spoke about it at City Hall...instead of it getting better I got violently and wrongfully detained less than two weeks later. Two days after that I got wrongfully arrested and they "lost" my wallet. Three months later I got cursed at and threatened with arrest by a SAPD officer in Leon Valley. Three months after that I got a citation for "Possession of Graffiti implements" for having washable sidewalk chalk at a public park in the middle of the afternoon. The last citation likely happened because City of San Antonio issued a statement claiming on News4 that sidewalk chalk has been illegal for the past 17 years...Despite the city and Artpace organization hosting a massive downtown chalk festival for the past 20 years.

Our Request
We demand that the City of San Antonio 

  1. Explicitly clarify that children's sidewalk chalk and temporary street art are NOT criminal offenses on public property.
  2. Cease arrests and citations related to sidewalk chalk art and performance art
  3. Develop clear guidelines that protect artistic expression in public spaces
  4. Provide training to law enforcement about the difference between vandalism and temporary, non-destructive art

Closing

While I do believe in public art of all kinds, I do believe the artist/creative/performer/protester should be mindful of their surroundings. I think there should be reasoning, empathy, and mindfulness. I think such practices makes a more enjoyable community. I use chalk because of how affordable and accessible it is...how fleeting, childish, and innocent it is. In this vein of thought I frequently include hopscotch games by my free hand circles...and the quotes "Overlapping friend circles bring a community to blossom." and "Create beauty knowing it will be washed away."

avatar of the starter
Joshua (Lakey) HinsonPetition StarterI use sidewalk chalk to beautify public spaces. Here in San Antonio that has turned into a battle over the legality of sidewalk chalk!

3,266

Recent signers:
Crystal alonso and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Edit 4/4/26: I shattered my big toe in October and missed a few months of creating...then I got a ticket for possession of graffiti implements (chalk) and causing graffiti unlawful on 3/13/26...Then one week later another ticket for causing graffiti unlawful...We're talking sidewalk chalk in a public park!

None of the charges have stuck. I have spoke at city council over 20 times. Over 2.7k signatures and they continue to ignore this issue.

The police are still ticketing the break dancer/comedian HereToStaySA.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW VIDEO ADDED NOV. 19 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is impacted?

  1. Everyone is impacted anytime We The People lose our freedom to express ourselves
  2. Taxpayers and constituents are impacted when taxes are misappropriated to silence free speech instead of serve our city.
  3. Crime victims who actually NEED police assistance have service delayed while cops are distracted antagonizing innocent citizens.
  4. Parents are impacted as them, or their kids, risk being cited or arrested for chalking in front of the wrong cop.

Background

I created chalk art around the city for years without much issue other than them pressure washing my work away. Then in 2023 after winning a wrongful arrest settlement in Leon Valley the local police started harassing me more. I spoke about it at City Hall...instead of it getting better I got violently and wrongfully detained less than two weeks later. Two days after that I got wrongfully arrested and they "lost" my wallet. Three months later I got cursed at and threatened with arrest by a SAPD officer in Leon Valley. Three months after that I got a citation for "Possession of Graffiti implements" for having washable sidewalk chalk at a public park in the middle of the afternoon. The last citation likely happened because City of San Antonio issued a statement claiming on News4 that sidewalk chalk has been illegal for the past 17 years...Despite the city and Artpace organization hosting a massive downtown chalk festival for the past 20 years.

Our Request
We demand that the City of San Antonio 

  1. Explicitly clarify that children's sidewalk chalk and temporary street art are NOT criminal offenses on public property.
  2. Cease arrests and citations related to sidewalk chalk art and performance art
  3. Develop clear guidelines that protect artistic expression in public spaces
  4. Provide training to law enforcement about the difference between vandalism and temporary, non-destructive art

Closing

While I do believe in public art of all kinds, I do believe the artist/creative/performer/protester should be mindful of their surroundings. I think there should be reasoning, empathy, and mindfulness. I think such practices makes a more enjoyable community. I use chalk because of how affordable and accessible it is...how fleeting, childish, and innocent it is. In this vein of thought I frequently include hopscotch games by my free hand circles...and the quotes "Overlapping friend circles bring a community to blossom." and "Create beauty knowing it will be washed away."

avatar of the starter
Joshua (Lakey) HinsonPetition StarterI use sidewalk chalk to beautify public spaces. Here in San Antonio that has turned into a battle over the legality of sidewalk chalk!

The Decision Makers

San Antonio City Council
2 Members
Sukh Kaur
San Antonio City Council - Place 1
Teri Castillo
San Antonio City Council - Place 5
Adriana Garcia
Former San Antonio City Council - Place 4
Gina Jones
San Antonio City Mayor

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates