Performance Artist Arrested In Central Park

[UPDATE BELOW] Central Park is filled with street performers and artists, but one has an entire Oscar-winning short documentary about him. Thoth, who performs at Bethesda Terrace, was arrested with another artist yesterday for what he calls "prayforming." He wrote:

"Today, I had my feelings hurt, because as much love and goodness as I have given to the park (the many uncounted times I have cleaned up dog poop in the tunnel while cleaning men passed by), they still do not respect the gift of my being there. How could they sanction the arrest of me and Pink Angel? We still have the handcuff burns on our wrists. Who are the real BUMS?

I did not comply with the cease and desist order form a police officer. However, since I was doing my opening prayer, there is nothing short of an A.O.G that will stop me from praying, including the police. In my devotion, I am uncontrollable and ruthless.

The Central Park Conservancy is trying to stop us from prayforming. We have religious freedom, as well as the right to free speech."

The arrest was caught on tape, and you can see the public was on the side of the artists (see video after the jump). We contacted the Central Park Conservancy for a comment but have not heard back; we're guessing Thoth didn't have a permit, and the Parks Department had nothing better to do.

UPDATE: Thoth tells us "the Conservancy wants to get rid of musicians around the Bethesda Fountain. They were stopping musicians all weekend. Permits are not given. I guess a permit is for making them money right? The charges were: Disorderly conduct, Not complying with an officer, and Misuse of a restricted area. Our court date is August 27th."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on July 13, 2009 12:23 PM

Comments [rss]

Kilgore Trout

Wow, I just saw this. He used to live in SF, and the documentary about him is outstanding! Criminal the way the nonprofits are stealing our parks!

madartist

The reason I live in, and love, NYC is its history of accepting and tolerating all art forms. Unlike the thinking of narrow-minded, provincial Dude69, ALL art forms should be tolerated, not just one's own personal preference. The arrest of S.K. Thoth should not go unnoticed. It calls for a demonstration, and boycotting of all Central Park restaurants, or any other money-making venture the park puts forth. This was an OUTRAGEOUS Act by Central Park and the NYPD. If they can get away with this, none of us is safe from arrest when expressing ourselves in any public forum.

Dude69

Good job NYPD! I am glad Bloomberg is cleaning up our city and making it save for law abiding taxpayers and moms with strollers! Not every two bit hipster yelling on the streets are considered 'art'!

robingee

Ha! Good joke!

resa

Who took the PUBLIC out of our parks?

seven

I was under the impression you needed a sound permit only if you are using an amplifier. Otherwise, isn't this protected speech under the first amendment?

And really the Central Park Conservancy and NYPD have nothing better to do than harass a long time performer who is generally well liked and accepted among park users?

grimwomyn

Thoth is amazing and this is outrageous. We should go as a Thothbloc to his hearing. He is not just a performer he is an experience, journey and destination all in one.

Angelheaded Hipster

That guy is certainly no threat, quiet, does his thing.....But when they tell you to knock off the "prayformance" you have to obey

books

Why? You should read the bill of rights.

lstump

I live in Las Vegas at the moment, but I remember with joy Thoth's performances. I hope it's not really the Central Park Conservancy that's behind this.

Snoopy

I was ready today to pull over a sector car and ask the driver for his license, registration and proof of insurance card because he was driving a vehicle that had a tail light out.

Now how long do you think that conversation would have lasted with the asshole behind the wheel and his partner?

theboneranger

about as long as it would take his fist to reach your face.

ribaldry

Im a street performer. Last week they arrested Spiderman in Times Sq. and now Thoth. You cannot get a sound permit from any precinct anymore. The death of street performance is at hand. The last place you can kinda play is the subway and that is almost over. It's really quite sad that free thought and art is not valued in NYC of all places.

leftylib

I don't see why you need a sound permit if its the middle of the day - and i'd like to know why its difficult to get a sound permit - i'd like to see the NYCLU take this issue up.

leftylib

P.S. I've seen this issue before elsewhere - people given tickets for not obtaining a permit to protest and yet the city hasn't established clear guidelines for doing so. It's bullshit. I'm sick of our public parks becoming commercial space. It's not over until we give up and I for one am not giving up.

ribaldry

Because the new pedestrian malls are cash cows for the city.

Read: " Broadway’s Car-Free Zones: This Space for Rent"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/nyregion/09sidewalks.html?_r=2

The sound permit for amps costs $65 for 5 days. Large events in the Bloomberg malls can bring $38,000 a day. Who do u think they wanna have playing there?

Sadly Thoth and others dont use amps and still get busted.

tolu1973

Every day in NYC brings one more lowly-educated decision made by a cop that randomly fucks up people's lives for no solid reason.

How does that Body Count song go?

felixthecat2

Bloomturd privatized our parks Now he and Quinn gave exclusive rights off pubic space to the friends of Highland for their endorsement and contributions.