Have you seen the video where people were arrested for dancing at the Lincoln Memorial in the USA? It's completely ridiculous what they have done worldwide.
Our freedoms and rights have been stolen from us and, yet few seem to notice. They cheer for hours in the streets because the Vancouver Canucks won game two in the Stanley Cup playoff.
Mr Christie, thank you for your efforts to inform.
Busking is not a "free' speech issue. It costs $12,000.00.
We have already paid in tears and trials, now we have to pay another $7,500.00. no worries Doug I found a pro bono lawyer who truly will stand up for all buskers .
We first moved to Vancouver island in 2000 we couldn't believe how AMAZING & beautiful it was - art and music everywhere!
Co-existing and making the island the most exciting, drawing, exceptional places we've lived. We moved in '05 for various reasons but bragged for years about our island back home - economical, beautiful &unique.those who had been there as well all said the same! upon returning to the island in 2011 We were devastated.
Well Doug If I had known that the injunction in question only applied to bylaw 5602, I could have saved myself a lot of time and effort and $3700.00. I went to trial today and defended myself as best I could. I have to pay a fine of $25.00 because my guitar case was open.The judge said he regretted having to make the ruling. I may appeal his ruling.I learned about strawmen and red herrings. What a waste of the court's time and taxpayers money
I have paid dearly, financially, and with my soul, to speak for all buskers for 26 years.Tomorrow I will be in court again defending myself without a lawyer. This issue is not only about freedom of speech it is about abuse and misuse of power. It is also about violations of The BC Community Charter.
I may go to jail if the Justice invokes the Injunction.I dont have any more money to pay for a lawyer.
I stand or fall on the truth and on my own integrity.I will let you know!
It gets worse folks! Last week a local businessman hired me to busk outside his coffee shop. Nanaimo City bylaws department now has a policy that business owners cannot choose to have their own entertainers playing for tips!
So now business people are also compelled to comply with bylaw 5723.
Two weeks before that a bylaw officer drove to my home to deliver a performing ticket from the previous day. his excuse was "he did not have his ticket book when the"alleged offence occurred!'
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This "Heather" bitch sure thinks she knows what she is talking about. Too bad she is completely wrong. Don't try to accuse others of things you cannot prove and are quite obviously lies.
You seem to have very strong feelings about this issue.
The proof is always in the pudding.
It really is not a Complicated issue here. If you are able to read the Berger versus Seattle decision you would understand more about how free speech is impacted by busking bylaws.
The Red herring of "white Supremacy" that you put forth in some of your postings has little to do with free speech or expression.
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Your going to have to find something better than that to call me sweetheart. I know im a bitch. And you know i can say the same thing to you. " Dont try to accuse others of things you cannot prove and are obviously lies". You are the one who dont have a clue what shes talking about. Must be the glue your sniffing.......
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Maybe the police are now scared of buskers that have aligned themselves with these fanatics and white supremacists? Doug took the case because it would get him a little spotlight as usual.
I didn't expect you to get rid of Doug, he's the only lawyer who would take your case. Just keep in mind that most people who see you associated with him will see that as a negative, especially with the bad press regarding the RCMP incident involving the supposed Neo-Nazi who was gunned down by police.
nanaimonanaimo, Why would you care if the police are scared of buskers? (not likely) or if Doug is the only one to take our case? or he is looking to get in the spotlight? Bad press is normal for newspapers. Are you suffering from lack of attention? I believe there are many Phsychiatrists in Nanaimo I suggest you go see one. you seem a bit complicated in your mind, or else keep posting I get exited when defending myself bothers folks like you.
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Ahahahahaha take another toke from your crack pipe you stupid bitch. You have no idea what your talking about. Its okay tho, im sure everyone is having a really good laugh at the crap coming from you. I've never met a crazy person before, its quite funny. Busker james is right, your mind is a bit COMPLICATED. Haha to funny.
nanaimonanaimo,you don't have a clue what type of person Doug Christie is I do I have spent a lot of time with him and your accusations are totally false. I think if the buskers in Nanaimo have a bad name it's because of people like you spreading lies about them. I will never get rid of Doug as my lawyer for you or anyone else he is the best and tells it like it is. My harassment by the police & bylaw officers has been almost elliminated since I hired Doug Christie I wonder why?
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Christie is an extremist and I wouldn't be proud of having him as counsel. He defends Neo-Nazi's and white supremacists and attends events with them.
The buskers in Nanaimo already have a bad name, this isn't going to help, get rid of this low life lawyer asap. And quit bullying people who don't agree with you.
Either there are more crazies out there or your the same one that has bee causing problems this entire time. You have the right to your own opinion as does everybody BUT your jamming your opinion down everyones throat and you need to stop it. Everyone knows what a basket case you are anyways so im pretty sure they arnt going to listen. Most people these days arnt closeminded. Nice to hear from you again tho complicated, way to make it obvious who you were.
OhSleeperawake, I hear you I'm not sure what the rules are for busking where you are but it appears that law enforcement officers are using such nonsense as, Public disorder,social problem, a threat to public safety to rid the streets of professional buskers. My advice is fight back and never let these people take away your rights to freedom of speech or freddom of expression, Good luck my friend
i got moved on by police today for busking. i play native american flut and sing . i alwaus get good money which shows people like it right. and i am moved on? it is not against the law. i go ttold i "could" cause a obstruction is alot of people gather round, no one was gathering around. i live in england. its crap the way they stop beautiful music in the streets!
and in some places, there isn't even a license to permit you to do street performing, it's just flat-out illegal, or they are very hard to get and you can only get them once per year etc, so it's hard for travelers.
I've dealt with laws in different cities (which are completely different in every single city) for years now, as a girl/young woman and I've coughed up money for permits when I really couldn't afford to but had no real choice or else I couldn't start sharing my music! Ridiculous!
!!!!! You Hang in there James!! I Busking is old history going back to the dark ages when Busker's would be executed for singing bad song about the king. Bylaw are like inlaws and outlaws they are just bad when it comes to freedoms
Doug Christie is a courageous guy and one of Canada's finest citizens, even if he would prefer to be just a Western Canadian. He is an exception to the rule as far as lawyers go. Should people be able to talk or sing on the streets? Sure, as long as it's not TOO LOUD. Then it becomes hard to avoid and adversely effects other citizens' quality of life. In reading through the other comments I note there is an issue of VOLUME in this case. God bless Doug Christie and his heroic work for freedom.
PrinceBandar, It may appear by the comments that volume is a big part of this issue but it has nothing to do with it. It is about an injunction that was put in place because I chose to protest a bylaw for busking in Nanaimo. I have waited 6 years to have it dealt with and now it will happen win or loose I will make my point. Not all poor people are stupid as the city thinks and now they are getting a taste of what it feels like to be violated.
Yah Prince, it really has nothing to do with volume. Volume just goes without saying. If someone was being too loud, that falls under causing a disturbance, not busking. Busking is a completely separate issue.
You can cause a disturbance with being too loud/offensive/harassing while speaking... but is speaking illegal? Do you need a permit to speak? No. Harassing people is illegal.
Busking does not = harassing.
If *a* busker is harassing, that's not busking/other buskers' faults.
I am amazed at how many people are making sense. Busking is free speech. Sometimes it costs you a lot more more than money to stand up and exercise your right.If you dont do it, you wont have the right for very long.
The law says we have the right to freedom of expresion, Canadian Law! No village, no city, no province, and no "PORT AUTHORITY " has the right to take our Charter Rights away from anyone in this country, including buskers.
chiman, with all do repect you may think that busking is a business but not so says the bylaw office that issues these licences. And no worries about this income being reported I have reported my busking income in our fair city for 9 years. Any other concerns?
The city is wrong then. I would think that you file with as self employed with the CRA then. Your speech evidently isn't free if you take money for it.
The city should have taken the approach of issuing a business licence, renting the space and charging servicing fees.
chiman, I have seen this busker, James Cunningham, spit at people when they pass by without putting money in his guitar case on the Nanaimo waterfront. Behaviour of this sort seems to run in the family.
Just goes to show that netta2158 has no idea what they are taking about I don't play guitar and never have try again netta2158. I will still keep on with my challenge against the city of Nanaimo regardless of what you our your buddies post I am not going away.
buskerjames, see how you twist what people say, & you lie? I never said you played guitar. I said some people would pass by without putting money in the open guitar case, which I assume belonged to the guitar player - your sister - you dimwit!
I guess it takes one to know one as far me lieing I'm getting some of your bad habits. I'm not sure what your problem is but your wasting your time the bylaw will be challenged and Doug Christie is the lawyer.
Comments like this have no relevancy in the issues being discussed.
One busker should be treated the same as the next. The city should change their approach and require business licences, charge rental fees / taxes and damage deposits on the rented area.
These people are in business and the ones that are no good will go broke!!!!!! being used.
Buskers should not be paying taxes as they are in the lower bracket of income. If anything, the government should be encouraging street performers to be making the streets a better place by filling it with music and festivity.
I think busking should be legal all over, without a permit, but that we must report our income. If for some odd reason we are above the lower bracket of income (this would be extremely rare I think), then we'd pitch taxes.
(honesthonestgirl)Wow, Some serious accusations from an anonymous viewer. Is it possible that this viewer is the one that gave the spurious complaints to the RCMP that resulted in $300 in fines and an injunction for my family? Whats wrong do you not like accordion music and this is your way to get rid of us. If you are such an honestgirl why don't you tell the truth.
Sounds like you work for the city of Nanaimo or bylaw services.
CAn you prove your statements. about the busker in question.
As for who Doug Christie defends;somebody has to defend everyone.? Even Picton had to have a lawyer. his lawyer charged the goveernment a huge amount of money to defend a murderer. Each person in our demacratic country has the right to a defence.
Cathy, you of all people should know it's all public record if anyone wants to simply contact the Nanaimo Downtown Association & City By-Law Department. Don't think I don't know who you are, miss alcoholic. I was there when you threw a alcohol-fueled fit with your boyfriend (now deceased) in the trailer park in Cassidy several years ago. You & the Cunningham's are a disgrace to buskers. Sure James has a right to have a lawyer - I'm glad he picked one w/ a terrible reputation! Birds of a feather
If you have evidence to present to court concerning the Injunction or the bylaw, I am sure that you will be allowed to have your say.
I am not hiding behind my name .
People who hide behind fake names find it easier to throw stones.I think the Nanaimo Downtown Partnership shoould be concerned about taking care of business and the Bylaws Department should be out enforcing bylaws.
Rather than having your comment deleted I will leave it up, in the interest of free speech.
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My, my... you're just dying to know who I am, so u can start yet another one of your harassment binges that seem to feed some unhealthy need in your psyche.
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Cathy, your analogy to Pickton's lawyer is a poor one. Pickton's lawyer doesn't condone murdering women & then feeding them to pigs, even though he's defending someone who did that. Doug Christie on the other hand, is an outspoken anti-semitist who defends other Jew-haters, & his personal comments are what got him in hot water with the Law Society. I see you've also commented favorably on his videos against Jews! You must be racist too, Cathy.
1) YOUTUBERS! This lawyer has defended Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel, former Nazi prison guard Michael Seifert, Anti-Semitist Jim Keegstra, & Klu Klux Klansmen in Winnipeg. He was also charged with unprofessional conduct by the Law Society of B.C. in 2006, & criticized by the Law Society of Upper Canada for his conduct at other trials. The busker he's currently defending in Nanaimo has been a public nuisance for many years, giving busking in general a bad reputation because of HIS actions.
2) The busker in question, & his family, amplified instruments in the park, drowning out other nearby buskers, & playing too loud for people who just wanted to enjoy a quiet stroll in the park. This resulted in the city passing a "limit on amplification" by-law. I personally witnessed this same busker stealing the city's electricity by running a hidden extension cord to city outlets until he was caught & a stop was put to it.
3) Another abuse of privileges he & his family committed was to hog a designated busking spot for many hours over the 2 hour time limit. Their retort to other buskers was "hey there's four of us in this group so we're entitled to 4 x 2 = 8 hours." This angered many other buskers I knew personally, & I checked with the Nanaimo Dtn Assoc & By-Law Dept & they said it was contravening the By-Law. So again, the city had to step in.
Movietrailer, There are good and bad buskers all over the world I know what category I fit into I have never in 40 years of busking asked any member of the public for 5 cents but I can assure you that never ever have I not made money by playing my music on the streets. Because I'm good at it (professional) and get payed by the public for the performance because they like what they see & hear.
The law is you can have freedom of speech as long as it does not interfere with another persons rights. as ong as these buskers are doing something for their money not just sitting there with a stupid sign and there hand out. THey should pay a bit bigger fee, I mean they should contribute to city taxes
well if they pay a fee that's all good. I mean if they make money they shouldpay some taxes too. I think the rule should just be they have to be a certain distance away from a certain business and a certain distance between each busker to not interfere. As long as these people use the money for good and not drugs or alot of booze, but for food and rent and whoi are not on the system.
Buskers have been around for hundreds of years. They are THE BEAT OF THE STREET!
.
Whether you exercise your right through music, dance or drama is moot. Any country that curtails the right of Speech to the poorest of its citizens is not a democracy.
this issue is about power and control in a society that runs on Corpratism.
This is such a ridiculous argument. Speaking to a friend on a street sidewalk is TOTALLY different than the dirty, annoying buskers who are sitting around asking for MY change, and trying to cover up the fact that they are just asking for handouts by strumming a guitar a bit. It's annoying. Buskers are no different than the homeless that straight out ask you for change. Go chase an ambulance you hack.
What is wrong with helping the homeless? You never know someday you might be in that situation. My mother would always say ....There but by the grace of God go I.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Take your God BS and throw it in someone else's face. I don't want to hear that crap.
And I know a thing or two about "helping the homeless." My brother was staying with me after being "homeless" for quite some time and he busked/panhandled every day. He would come home with MORE than I made at my job working a full 8 hours! He could have very quickly gotten on his feet and found a place, but the mentality of these people is "if I can get it for free, why bother?"
You're judging them all, according to how he was. I know how people are too. Some are drunks and drug addicts who want to keep their habit up, but then there alot who are homeless because they've lost their jobs, alot of veterans are homeless, kids who've been abused, etc. We can go further, than just handing them money. Buy them a meal, a room, encourage them, some just need a kind word spoken to them.
Yeah, I'd like to see you go up to a homeless vagrant and say something kind to him when he asks you for change. You'll get raped faster than you can say "Jesus Christ."
And where will your precious "God" be to save you then?
Only when you've seen 50 people dancing and crowding around in a circle to see some amazing street drummer or something will you understand why these things should be legal.
I'd like you to say that to me while I'm singing and playing classical guitar and there are a circle of people around me just happy to be there that I'm sharing my music with them! Where do you live that you've never seen any good buskers? Obviously you're not in Montreal. Have you never seen a fire dancer or a really good music artist who's maybe traveling while selling their CDs that they took a long time to write, produce, record, and save up for (with the help of busking)?
Have you heard Loreena McKennitt? She and other great artists have started out busking.
And we don't ASK for handouts. We're too busy PERFORMING to ask (my voice is occupied with singing), and people can donate or buy CDs if they WANT TO.
You're confusing panhandlers with busking, and *that's* annoying.
I had to take an appointment government audition in a theater with a panel of judges and pay a big sum of money to have my street permit and it wasn't to be harassed by people like you!
Imagine a society where every panhandler could grab a pan and wooden spoon and make 'music' wherever they decided. Imagine Main Street Yourtown, Mr. Christie.
This is not an assault on freedom of speech. Just another lawyer looking for a cause celeb to champion looking for fifteen seconds of fame.
Doug Christie, I cannot thank you enough for the buskers and for my family of entertainers who have been living in fear for years because of the injunction and the threat of going to jail for playing music on the streets of Nanaimo.
Have you seen the video where people were arrested for dancing at the Lincoln Memorial in the USA? It's completely ridiculous what they have done worldwide.
Our freedoms and rights have been stolen from us and, yet few seem to notice. They cheer for hours in the streets because the Vancouver Canucks won game two in the Stanley Cup playoff.
Mr Christie, thank you for your efforts to inform.
You are a true Canadian hero!
hplaserjet2001 8 months ago
Busking is not a "free' speech issue. It costs $12,000.00.
We have already paid in tears and trials, now we have to pay another $7,500.00. no worries Doug I found a pro bono lawyer who truly will stand up for all buskers .
SuperCdavis 11 months ago 3
We first moved to Vancouver island in 2000 we couldn't believe how AMAZING & beautiful it was - art and music everywhere!
Co-existing and making the island the most exciting, drawing, exceptional places we've lived. We moved in '05 for various reasons but bragged for years about our island back home - economical, beautiful &unique.those who had been there as well all said the same! upon returning to the island in 2011 We were devastated.
Near 'Nazism'. We hope to change this... Soon
GoldiRockRecords 1 year ago
Well Doug If I had known that the injunction in question only applied to bylaw 5602, I could have saved myself a lot of time and effort and $3700.00. I went to trial today and defended myself as best I could. I have to pay a fine of $25.00 because my guitar case was open.The judge said he regretted having to make the ruling. I may appeal his ruling.I learned about strawmen and red herrings. What a waste of the court's time and taxpayers money
SuperCdavis 1 year ago 5
I have paid dearly, financially, and with my soul, to speak for all buskers for 26 years.Tomorrow I will be in court again defending myself without a lawyer. This issue is not only about freedom of speech it is about abuse and misuse of power. It is also about violations of The BC Community Charter.
I may go to jail if the Justice invokes the Injunction.I dont have any more money to pay for a lawyer.
I stand or fall on the truth and on my own integrity.I will let you know!
SuperCdavis 1 year ago 7
November 24th, I go to court because I refuse to buy a licence. There will be a Rally For Free Speech in front of the Nanaimo Courthouse.
They did not use the expensive injunction to prosecute me, which is good thing, I suppose.
I am disputing a $25,00 ticket. I am not paying. i will go to jail first.
SuperCdavis 1 year ago 7
The latest in Nanaimo is that business owners no longer have the right to hire their own buskers.
SuperCdavis 1 year ago 4
It gets worse folks! Last week a local businessman hired me to busk outside his coffee shop. Nanaimo City bylaws department now has a policy that business owners cannot choose to have their own entertainers playing for tips!
So now business people are also compelled to comply with bylaw 5723.
Two weeks before that a bylaw officer drove to my home to deliver a performing ticket from the previous day. his excuse was "he did not have his ticket book when the"alleged offence occurred!'
SuperCdavis 1 year ago 3
Thank you!
SpandyAndyDotCom 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This "Heather" bitch sure thinks she knows what she is talking about. Too bad she is completely wrong. Don't try to accuse others of things you cannot prove and are quite obviously lies.
It's not that "complicated"...lol - pathetic.
nanaimonanaimo 2 years ago
You seem to have very strong feelings about this issue.
The proof is always in the pudding.
It really is not a Complicated issue here. If you are able to read the Berger versus Seattle decision you would understand more about how free speech is impacted by busking bylaws.
The Red herring of "white Supremacy" that you put forth in some of your postings has little to do with free speech or expression.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
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Your going to have to find something better than that to call me sweetheart. I know im a bitch. And you know i can say the same thing to you. " Dont try to accuse others of things you cannot prove and are obviously lies". You are the one who dont have a clue what shes talking about. Must be the glue your sniffing.......
TheHeather26 2 years ago
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Maybe the police are now scared of buskers that have aligned themselves with these fanatics and white supremacists? Doug took the case because it would get him a little spotlight as usual.
I didn't expect you to get rid of Doug, he's the only lawyer who would take your case. Just keep in mind that most people who see you associated with him will see that as a negative, especially with the bad press regarding the RCMP incident involving the supposed Neo-Nazi who was gunned down by police.
nanaimonanaimo 2 years ago
nanaimonanaimo, Why would you care if the police are scared of buskers? (not likely) or if Doug is the only one to take our case? or he is looking to get in the spotlight? Bad press is normal for newspapers. Are you suffering from lack of attention? I believe there are many Phsychiatrists in Nanaimo I suggest you go see one. you seem a bit complicated in your mind, or else keep posting I get exited when defending myself bothers folks like you.
buskerjames 2 years ago
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Ahahahahaha take another toke from your crack pipe you stupid bitch. You have no idea what your talking about. Its okay tho, im sure everyone is having a really good laugh at the crap coming from you. I've never met a crazy person before, its quite funny. Busker james is right, your mind is a bit COMPLICATED. Haha to funny.
TheHeather26 2 years ago
This case will be based on evidence of rights being trampled,specifically FREE SPEECH.
I am proud to be represented by a lawyer who values every person's rights.
.See you in court NanaimoNanaimo.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
nanaimonanaimo,you don't have a clue what type of person Doug Christie is I do I have spent a lot of time with him and your accusations are totally false. I think if the buskers in Nanaimo have a bad name it's because of people like you spreading lies about them. I will never get rid of Doug as my lawyer for you or anyone else he is the best and tells it like it is. My harassment by the police & bylaw officers has been almost elliminated since I hired Doug Christie I wonder why?
buskerjames 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Christie is an extremist and I wouldn't be proud of having him as counsel. He defends Neo-Nazi's and white supremacists and attends events with them.
The buskers in Nanaimo already have a bad name, this isn't going to help, get rid of this low life lawyer asap. And quit bullying people who don't agree with you.
nanaimonanaimo 2 years ago
If it were not for doug Christie and others defending FREE SPEECH you might not be able to make this comment.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
Comment removed
TheHeather26 2 years ago
Either there are more crazies out there or your the same one that has bee causing problems this entire time. You have the right to your own opinion as does everybody BUT your jamming your opinion down everyones throat and you need to stop it. Everyone knows what a basket case you are anyways so im pretty sure they arnt going to listen. Most people these days arnt closeminded. Nice to hear from you again tho complicated, way to make it obvious who you were.
TheHeather26 2 years ago
OhSleeperawake, I hear you I'm not sure what the rules are for busking where you are but it appears that law enforcement officers are using such nonsense as, Public disorder,social problem, a threat to public safety to rid the streets of professional buskers. My advice is fight back and never let these people take away your rights to freedom of speech or freddom of expression, Good luck my friend
buskerjames 2 years ago
i got moved on by police today for busking. i play native american flut and sing . i alwaus get good money which shows people like it right. and i am moved on? it is not against the law. i go ttold i "could" cause a obstruction is alot of people gather round, no one was gathering around. i live in england. its crap the way they stop beautiful music in the streets!
OhSleeperAwake 2 years ago 2
And thank you for being here :)
LilahKnight 2 years ago 3
and in some places, there isn't even a license to permit you to do street performing, it's just flat-out illegal, or they are very hard to get and you can only get them once per year etc, so it's hard for travelers.
I've dealt with laws in different cities (which are completely different in every single city) for years now, as a girl/young woman and I've coughed up money for permits when I really couldn't afford to but had no real choice or else I couldn't start sharing my music! Ridiculous!
LilahKnight 2 years ago 2
!!!!! You Hang in there James!! I Busking is old history going back to the dark ages when Busker's would be executed for singing bad song about the king. Bylaw are like inlaws and outlaws they are just bad when it comes to freedoms
thebuskersmovement 2 years ago 9
Doug Christie is a courageous guy and one of Canada's finest citizens, even if he would prefer to be just a Western Canadian. He is an exception to the rule as far as lawyers go. Should people be able to talk or sing on the streets? Sure, as long as it's not TOO LOUD. Then it becomes hard to avoid and adversely effects other citizens' quality of life. In reading through the other comments I note there is an issue of VOLUME in this case. God bless Doug Christie and his heroic work for freedom.
PrinceBandar 2 years ago 2
PrinceBandar, It may appear by the comments that volume is a big part of this issue but it has nothing to do with it. It is about an injunction that was put in place because I chose to protest a bylaw for busking in Nanaimo. I have waited 6 years to have it dealt with and now it will happen win or loose I will make my point. Not all poor people are stupid as the city thinks and now they are getting a taste of what it feels like to be violated.
buskerjames 2 years ago 5
Well, I'm all for any slapdown of "Big Brother" and you have a good man on your side in Doug Christie.
"The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government" Tacitus
PrinceBandar 2 years ago 6
Yah Prince, it really has nothing to do with volume. Volume just goes without saying. If someone was being too loud, that falls under causing a disturbance, not busking. Busking is a completely separate issue.
You can cause a disturbance with being too loud/offensive/harassing while speaking... but is speaking illegal? Do you need a permit to speak? No. Harassing people is illegal.
Busking does not = harassing.
If *a* busker is harassing, that's not busking/other buskers' faults.
LilahKnight 2 years ago 2
I am amazed at how many people are making sense. Busking is free speech. Sometimes it costs you a lot more more than money to stand up and exercise your right.If you dont do it, you wont have the right for very long.
The law says we have the right to freedom of expresion, Canadian Law! No village, no city, no province, and no "PORT AUTHORITY " has the right to take our Charter Rights away from anyone in this country, including buskers.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
What they do is a business. Free speech has nothing to do with the real issue.
Just legal BS being spouted.
I think that the CRA needs to talk to these buskers. I hope that they are reporting all income from busking!
Businesses need a licence, so what is the problem?
chiman1955 2 years ago
chiman, with all do repect you may think that busking is a business but not so says the bylaw office that issues these licences. And no worries about this income being reported I have reported my busking income in our fair city for 9 years. Any other concerns?
buskerjames 2 years ago
The city is wrong then. I would think that you file with as self employed with the CRA then. Your speech evidently isn't free if you take money for it.
The city should have taken the approach of issuing a business licence, renting the space and charging servicing fees.
chiman1955 2 years ago 2
I think you are right the city is wrong
buskerjames 2 years ago
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chiman, I have seen this busker, James Cunningham, spit at people when they pass by without putting money in his guitar case on the Nanaimo waterfront. Behaviour of this sort seems to run in the family.
netta2l58 2 years ago
Just goes to show that netta2158 has no idea what they are taking about I don't play guitar and never have try again netta2158. I will still keep on with my challenge against the city of Nanaimo regardless of what you our your buddies post I am not going away.
buskerjames 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
buskerjames, see how you twist what people say, & you lie? I never said you played guitar. I said some people would pass by without putting money in the open guitar case, which I assume belonged to the guitar player - your sister - you dimwit!
netta2l58 2 years ago
I guess it takes one to know one as far me lieing I'm getting some of your bad habits. I'm not sure what your problem is but your wasting your time the bylaw will be challenged and Doug Christie is the lawyer.
buskerjames 2 years ago
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and you'll lose, & waste all your money.
netta2l58 2 years ago
Comments like this have no relevancy in the issues being discussed.
One busker should be treated the same as the next. The city should change their approach and require business licences, charge rental fees / taxes and damage deposits on the rented area.
These people are in business and the ones that are no good will go broke!!!!!! being used.
chiman1955 2 years ago
Buskers should not be paying taxes as they are in the lower bracket of income. If anything, the government should be encouraging street performers to be making the streets a better place by filling it with music and festivity.
I think busking should be legal all over, without a permit, but that we must report our income. If for some odd reason we are above the lower bracket of income (this would be extremely rare I think), then we'd pitch taxes.
LilahKnight 2 years ago 8
(honesthonestgirl)Wow, Some serious accusations from an anonymous viewer. Is it possible that this viewer is the one that gave the spurious complaints to the RCMP that resulted in $300 in fines and an injunction for my family? Whats wrong do you not like accordion music and this is your way to get rid of us. If you are such an honestgirl why don't you tell the truth.
Sounds like you work for the city of Nanaimo or bylaw services.
buskerjames 2 years ago
to honest girl
CAn you prove your statements. about the busker in question.
As for who Doug Christie defends;somebody has to defend everyone.? Even Picton had to have a lawyer. his lawyer charged the goveernment a huge amount of money to defend a murderer. Each person in our demacratic country has the right to a defence.
Even buskers.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
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Cathy, you of all people should know it's all public record if anyone wants to simply contact the Nanaimo Downtown Association & City By-Law Department. Don't think I don't know who you are, miss alcoholic. I was there when you threw a alcohol-fueled fit with your boyfriend (now deceased) in the trailer park in Cassidy several years ago. You & the Cunningham's are a disgrace to buskers. Sure James has a right to have a lawyer - I'm glad he picked one w/ a terrible reputation! Birds of a feather
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
If you have evidence to present to court concerning the Injunction or the bylaw, I am sure that you will be allowed to have your say.
I am not hiding behind my name .
People who hide behind fake names find it easier to throw stones.I think the Nanaimo Downtown Partnership shoould be concerned about taking care of business and the Bylaws Department should be out enforcing bylaws.
Rather than having your comment deleted I will leave it up, in the interest of free speech.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
Are you perhaps one of my partner's ex girlfriends?Did he spurn you for me?
SuperCdavis 2 years ago
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My, my... you're just dying to know who I am, so u can start yet another one of your harassment binges that seem to feed some unhealthy need in your psyche.
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
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Cathy, your analogy to Pickton's lawyer is a poor one. Pickton's lawyer doesn't condone murdering women & then feeding them to pigs, even though he's defending someone who did that. Doug Christie on the other hand, is an outspoken anti-semitist who defends other Jew-haters, & his personal comments are what got him in hot water with the Law Society. I see you've also commented favorably on his videos against Jews! You must be racist too, Cathy.
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
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1) YOUTUBERS! This lawyer has defended Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel, former Nazi prison guard Michael Seifert, Anti-Semitist Jim Keegstra, & Klu Klux Klansmen in Winnipeg. He was also charged with unprofessional conduct by the Law Society of B.C. in 2006, & criticized by the Law Society of Upper Canada for his conduct at other trials. The busker he's currently defending in Nanaimo has been a public nuisance for many years, giving busking in general a bad reputation because of HIS actions.
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
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2) The busker in question, & his family, amplified instruments in the park, drowning out other nearby buskers, & playing too loud for people who just wanted to enjoy a quiet stroll in the park. This resulted in the city passing a "limit on amplification" by-law. I personally witnessed this same busker stealing the city's electricity by running a hidden extension cord to city outlets until he was caught & a stop was put to it.
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
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3) Another abuse of privileges he & his family committed was to hog a designated busking spot for many hours over the 2 hour time limit. Their retort to other buskers was "hey there's four of us in this group so we're entitled to 4 x 2 = 8 hours." This angered many other buskers I knew personally, & I checked with the Nanaimo Dtn Assoc & By-Law Dept & they said it was contravening the By-Law. So again, the city had to step in.
honesthonestgirI 2 years ago
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Eppe360 2 years ago
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Eppe360 2 years ago
Movietrailer, There are good and bad buskers all over the world I know what category I fit into I have never in 40 years of busking asked any member of the public for 5 cents but I can assure you that never ever have I not made money by playing my music on the streets. Because I'm good at it (professional) and get payed by the public for the performance because they like what they see & hear.
buskerjames 2 years ago 3
The law is you can have freedom of speech as long as it does not interfere with another persons rights. as ong as these buskers are doing something for their money not just sitting there with a stupid sign and there hand out. THey should pay a bit bigger fee, I mean they should contribute to city taxes
MaddDogg81 2 years ago
well if they pay a fee that's all good. I mean if they make money they shouldpay some taxes too. I think the rule should just be they have to be a certain distance away from a certain business and a certain distance between each busker to not interfere. As long as these people use the money for good and not drugs or alot of booze, but for food and rent and whoi are not on the system.
MaddDogg81 2 years ago
I'm all for helping people, but those
MaddDogg81 2 years ago
Buskers are not panhandlers.
Buskers have been around for hundreds of years. They are THE BEAT OF THE STREET!
.
Whether you exercise your right through music, dance or drama is moot. Any country that curtails the right of Speech to the poorest of its citizens is not a democracy.
this issue is about power and control in a society that runs on Corpratism.
SuperCdavis 2 years ago 3
This is such a ridiculous argument. Speaking to a friend on a street sidewalk is TOTALLY different than the dirty, annoying buskers who are sitting around asking for MY change, and trying to cover up the fact that they are just asking for handouts by strumming a guitar a bit. It's annoying. Buskers are no different than the homeless that straight out ask you for change. Go chase an ambulance you hack.
movietrailer 2 years ago
What is wrong with helping the homeless? You never know someday you might be in that situation. My mother would always say ....There but by the grace of God go I.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Rachella38 2 years ago
Take your God BS and throw it in someone else's face. I don't want to hear that crap.
And I know a thing or two about "helping the homeless." My brother was staying with me after being "homeless" for quite some time and he busked/panhandled every day. He would come home with MORE than I made at my job working a full 8 hours! He could have very quickly gotten on his feet and found a place, but the mentality of these people is "if I can get it for free, why bother?"
Ship em off somewhere else.
movietrailer 2 years ago
You're judging them all, according to how he was. I know how people are too. Some are drunks and drug addicts who want to keep their habit up, but then there alot who are homeless because they've lost their jobs, alot of veterans are homeless, kids who've been abused, etc. We can go further, than just handing them money. Buy them a meal, a room, encourage them, some just need a kind word spoken to them.
Rachella38 2 years ago
Yeah, I'd like to see you go up to a homeless vagrant and say something kind to him when he asks you for change. You'll get raped faster than you can say "Jesus Christ."
And where will your precious "God" be to save you then?
movietrailer 2 years ago
Don't worry there's a time when you'll never be able to hear about God again. That time is coming soon.
Rachella38 2 years ago
Only when you've seen 50 people dancing and crowding around in a circle to see some amazing street drummer or something will you understand why these things should be legal.
LilahKnight 2 years ago 5
I'd like you to say that to me while I'm singing and playing classical guitar and there are a circle of people around me just happy to be there that I'm sharing my music with them! Where do you live that you've never seen any good buskers? Obviously you're not in Montreal. Have you never seen a fire dancer or a really good music artist who's maybe traveling while selling their CDs that they took a long time to write, produce, record, and save up for (with the help of busking)?
LilahKnight 2 years ago 4
Have you heard Loreena McKennitt? She and other great artists have started out busking.
And we don't ASK for handouts. We're too busy PERFORMING to ask (my voice is occupied with singing), and people can donate or buy CDs if they WANT TO.
You're confusing panhandlers with busking, and *that's* annoying.
I had to take an appointment government audition in a theater with a panel of judges and pay a big sum of money to have my street permit and it wasn't to be harassed by people like you!
LilahKnight 2 years ago 3
Imagine a society where every panhandler could grab a pan and wooden spoon and make 'music' wherever they decided. Imagine Main Street Yourtown, Mr. Christie.
This is not an assault on freedom of speech. Just another lawyer looking for a cause celeb to champion looking for fifteen seconds of fame.
You are defending chaos Mr. Christie.
jimorsheryl 2 years ago
Thank you Mr Christie for sticking up for the little guy and our rights as Canadians.
BCBUD69 2 years ago 2
Way to stick up for the buskers, Mr Christie! You have my admiration and support!
neecy2k 2 years ago
If only a party could defend freedom of speech as clearly as the Western Block Party...
A350Airways 2 years ago
Doug Christie, I cannot thank you enough for the buskers and for my family of entertainers who have been living in fear for years because of the injunction and the threat of going to jail for playing music on the streets of Nanaimo.
buskerjames 2 years ago 3
Freedom of Speech will never die as long as Doug Christie keeps it alive!
SuperCdavis 2 years ago 2
Excellent vid dougie..
TheCanadianDefendant 2 years ago 3
10**********!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you Mr. Christie
Thank you for defending our rights to have free speech. I wish there were more barristers like you.
Rachella38 2 years ago