Busking is a Free Speech Issue

Lawyer and free speech advocate Douglas Christie addresses the issues of the Nanaimo busking situation as they relate to Charter freedom of expression rights.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Nanaimo
• busking
• Doug Christie
• free speech
• Cunningham

[thebuskersmovement]

!!!!! 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

[LilahKnight]

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.

[hplaserjet2001]

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!

[SuperCdavis]

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 .

[GoldiRockRecords]

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

[SuperCdavis]

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]

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]

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]

The latest in Nanaimo is that business owners no longer have the right to hire their own buskers.

[SuperCdavis]

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!'

[SpandyAndyDotCom]

Thank you!

[TheHeather26]

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.......