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


Freedom of Expression Matters: End Arrests for Sidewalk Chalk & Street Performing
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?
- Everyone is impacted anytime We The People lose our freedom to express ourselves
- Taxpayers and constituents are impacted when taxes are misappropriated to silence free speech instead of serve our city.
- Crime victims who actually NEED police assistance have service delayed while cops are distracted antagonizing innocent citizens.
- 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
- Explicitly clarify that children's sidewalk chalk and temporary street art are NOT criminal offenses on public property.
- Cease arrests and citations related to sidewalk chalk art and performance art
- Develop clear guidelines that protect artistic expression in public spaces
- 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."

3,266
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?
- Everyone is impacted anytime We The People lose our freedom to express ourselves
- Taxpayers and constituents are impacted when taxes are misappropriated to silence free speech instead of serve our city.
- Crime victims who actually NEED police assistance have service delayed while cops are distracted antagonizing innocent citizens.
- 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
- Explicitly clarify that children's sidewalk chalk and temporary street art are NOT criminal offenses on public property.
- Cease arrests and citations related to sidewalk chalk art and performance art
- Develop clear guidelines that protect artistic expression in public spaces
- 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."

3,266
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Petition created on December 7, 2024