Artists sue over graffiti ordinance

Seven young artists sued New York City on Tuesday over its strict anti-graffiti law, saying it violated their constitutional right to free speech.

The group, backed by fashion designer Mark Ecko, argued in federal court that the city went too far by banning people who are younger than 21 from possessing spray paint or broad-tipped markers.

Gabriel Taussig, a lawyer for New York City, said the law “strikes a proper constitutional balance between the 1st Amendment rights [to free speech] and the need to control the long-standing plague of graffiti.”

The law took effect at the start of the year.

City Councilman Peter Vallone, who sponsored the law and has sparred with Ecko over the issue, accused the designer of hiding behind free speech rights to promote his video game and brand name.