My name is Amy Pikler, and I am a professional musician and street performer. Part of my livelihood depends on performing on San Antonio’s vibrant sidewalks. However, my ability to perform and earn is often disrupted. Some performers monopolize prime locations near the Majestic Theater for hours, preventing others from having a fair opportunity. Additionally, their use of external speakers drowns out surrounding performances, making it difficult for passersby to engage and tip equitably.

San Antonio’s streets should be a place where all performers have a fair chance to share their art. We urge city officials to make the downtown street performer policy fully enforceable by the San Antonio Police Department. We also seek necessary amendments, including banning external speakers and requiring performers to maintain a reasonable distance from one another.

Cities like New York and San Francisco have successfully implemented similar regulations, reducing monopolies and noise disruptions while fostering a thriving and equitable street performance culture. San Antonio can do the same.

Public spaces should be shared, and fair policies will benefit both performers and the community. Help protect our livelihoods and preserve our city’s cultural vibrancy.

1. Advocate to Downtown Center City Development Office to make the Downtown Street Performer Policy enforceable by clicking the following link: https://us.openforms.com/Form/9ca10864-065d-4d45-9df3-9655a860115e

2. Sign up to speak at a San Antonio Public Comment Meeting and/or include your comment about turning the Downtown Street Performer Policy into an enforceable city ordinance by clicking this link: https://www.saspeakup.com/#events

3. Anyone, regardless of location, can write a signed letter addressed to the San Antonio City Council and Mayor. Typed or handwritten letters are both acceptable. Please email your letter to apikler@aol.com