Happy Fourth of July! See you in court.

July 8th Hearing Set for City to Respond to Artists’ Request for a Preliminary Injunction Against New NYC Park Rules

In response to an artists' lawsuit, Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the United States District Court, Southern District of New York has ordered the New York City Parks Department to “show cause as to why a preliminary injunction should not be issued” in Lederman et al v. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation et al.

The “Show Cause Hearing” is set for this Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. in Courtroom 21C of the United States Courthouse at 500 Pearl Street, in downtown Manhattan. The docket number is 1:10-cv-04800-RJS. For a map, click here.

What does this mean? Artists have asked the courts to stop the enforcement of the new Park Rules, due to begin on Monday, July 19th, until the larger court case is decided. The judge will rule on a possible preliminary injunction. Although it will be excellent news for artists working in the parks if an injunction blocks the rules in the short run, ultimately it will be the decision in the actual court case that will preserve artists’ free speech rights. To see the artists’ Verified Complaint against the City, click here.

If you decide to attend, please allow extra time to pass through the security screening. Also remember that no cell phones, cameras or recording devices are allowed in the building. However, you are allowed to check them at the entrance and pick them up when you leave. Also note that you may be able to draw in the courtroom, as long as you are not disrupting the proceedings. Courtroom personnel are the ultimate authority on this.