Is Busking in D.C.'s Metro Stations Protected Speech?

The ubiquitous sight of a performer or musician asking for money in a New York City subway is conspicuously absent from Washington D.C. Metro stations, because busking is verboten in the nation's capital. A July lawsuit aims to change that policy.

1 minute read

August 17, 2014, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

"Alex Young, sued Metro last month, arguing that he should be able to play music on Metro property while asking for donations from passers-by," reports Perry Stein.

Unlike in New York City, the "Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority strictly prohibits people from engaging in commercial activities on Metro property, unless the parties have struck an agreement with Metro beforehand."

Now the question will be answered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which will have to decide "whether busking is considered free speech, commercial activity, or simply glorified panhandling, which is banned on Metro property."

FULL STORY: Should Busking Be Allowed in Metro? A Musician Suing WMATA Thinks So.

Monday, August 11, 2014 in Washington City Paper

Government / Politics District of Columbia Washington D.C. busking Transit Stations Free Speech street performance use regulations View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.