Birmingham City Council have become the latest UK local authority to propose using a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to criminalise street culture. We have set up a petition asking them to think again. Please consider adding your signature to it and sharing it with others: https://www.change.org/p/don-t-banish-the-buskers-birmingham-city-council-support-a-vibrant-street-culture-in-birmingham The council are running an online consultation asking for feedback on their proposals. It would be very helpful if you could fill in the consultation (which takes five minutes) asking them not to criminalise the use of amplification whether by buskers, street preachers or protestors: https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/the-introduction-of-public-spaces-protection-order We have published our own response to the consultation which you can use as a guide if you find it useful: http://keepstreetslive.com/policy-objections/2015/05/keep-streets-live-response-to-cultural-clampdownpspo-consultation-in-birmingham Lastly, the Keep Streets Live Campaign will be hosting an Activist Forum in Leeds on July 5th to discuss ways in which we can creatively stand up for freedoms in public space. You can join and share the event and sign up for free tickets via these links: https://www.facebook.com/events/835127999889938/ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/keep-streets-live-activist-forum-creative-resistance-for-freedom-in-public-spaces-tickets-10329609139 Thank you for your ongoing support. The simple act of signing an online petition has helped us to change policies and make the streets of the UK more open to art and music. We simply couldn't do what we do without you and it is appreciated, Kind regards, Jonny Walker Founding Director Keep Streets Live Campaign http://keepstreetslive.com PS This is an article I recently wrote about busking for the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jonny-walker/busking-petition_b_7642860.html