PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The city of Providence can no longer stop a local street musician from performing on public property.
That’s according to a settlement reached Wednesday in a federal lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit in July on behalf of 62-year-old Manuel Pombo.
The ACLU says the settlement allows Pombo to perform on public property without a permit and solicit donations.
Pombo says he’s been playing his saxophone on public sidewalks around the capital city for more than two decades.
The ACLU says Pombo was ordered by police to stop playing his saxophone several times last spring, leading him to seek legal advice. Pombo’s lawyer, Shannah Kurland said Wednesday that “We appreciate that the City was able to work with us to acknowledge Mr. Pombo’s right to make music in public spaces. Let’s hope that going forward municipal government will respect the Constitution without people having to sue our own city.”
A spokesman for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza says the administration is supportive of the arts and public expression.
