Street Musicians’ Suit Strikes a Legal Chord
Street musicians in New Orleans’ French Quarter won the right to let the good times roll outside historic St. Louis Cathedral.
A federal judge Wednesday struck down a state law establishing “quiet zones” around churches and hospitals. The law would have muffled musicians playing in front of the Roman Catholic cathedral in Jackson Square. Singers and other musicians sued.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance declared the law an unconstitutional violation of free speech, saying it created criminal penalties for noise levels similar to normal conversation and passing automobile traffic.
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