Dear petition supporters,

Hello, Kanami (Let Hair Down) is here.

I’d like to announce that we have FINALLY had a chance to have a meeting with the Legislative Director of the City Council Member Mr. Wang, a resident representative of the neighborhood around the park, and fellow performers in the park, with the presence of a writer from NY Magazine.

Edited meeting video (30mins) is available here.

→ https://youtu.be/FSX5LIIfSVM

 

I have sacrificed all of my performing time for this important meeting for street performers at Washington Sq Park so that I can freely perform without being harassed by park rangers and police officers.

 

Here’s what Mr. Wang told us:

 

-If street performers at WSP are violently treated by police officers unlawfully, or if the officers reject to help you when you are in an unsafe situation, we can either take a photo of the badge number/remember the badge number and then report about the officer via email or call.

→iwang@council.nyc.gov

212-587-3159

 

-As an immediate solution for now, Mr. Wang will tell the police officers from 6th precinct and park rangers not to crack down any non-harmful street performers whom people are enjoying and appreciating 

 

-For the long-term legal process about the City Park rules on sound amplifier, we (performers, residents and the City Council) will keep working together to figure out the specific steps to take to make it happen 

 

I couldn’t make this happen without your continuous help since the time I started this petition in March 2021… and I know this is only the beginning of the change, but I am hopeful, and sincerely grateful to each one of you. Thank you for all of you so much. This is one big step forward to free street performers from the fear and violence of police harassment. Hoping more progress to come…!