SUPPORT THE ARTS - DON’T LET THEM DIE!

My name is Bill Todd and I am a professional saxophonist. Just like everyone else doing their best to endure these most uncertain circumstances, have found myself struggling from isolation and in desperate need of connection and relief.

I decided to take action and so for the last 9 months, have led a quartet of world-class musicians on the streets of Santa Monica, California, where I recently moved to from Brooklyn, NY.

The music we provided to the community brought so much joy to our neighbors, friends and family. 

The love, gratitude, and appreciation we received from the community in response has been overwhelming. 

Since we started, hundreds of people have come to thank us for the spark of positivity and optimism we’ve provided - many who were even crying with tears of joy. Human connection is a powerful thing.

Sadly, there have been a few disgruntled individuals who prefer silence.

Despite our best efforts to be respectful with our volume, adhere to city/park rules, play during reasonable hours of the day (no more than a few hours on two days of the week) we have been experiencing repeated visits from Santa Monica Police and Code Enforcement - who’s duty it is to respond and act on behalf the one or two people who’ve seemingly made it their personal mission to extinguish our efforts and an entire community’s joy. 

So, to the people of Santa Monica and Los Angeles, we need your help. 

I’ve created the petition as a way to let our local government and community leaders know that the music and positivity we bring is welcomed, appreciated and very much needed to restore our mental health and to help keep our city alive.

It seems that the city has only received calls of complaints for the music we play at Ocean View Park on weekends. Those voices don’t accurately represent the sentiment of the vast majority. We will continue to be badgered and silenced by local authorities until the message is clear to them that we have the support from the vast majority of residents. 

I ask you to sign this petition and support this safe and socially distant expression of arts and culture so that it can continue providing the crucial foundation of human connection, joy and vibrancy in our wonderful and diverse community during these difficult days and beyond.

Sincerely,

Bill Todd