DeWitt Clinton

Clear Channel is apparently behind another assault on our personal space, this time here at home in New York City. According to the New York Press the city is considering a ban on street vendors and newspaper concessions. The proposal is sponsored by Business Improvement Districts, which are city-sanctioned organizations authorized to access dues from (read, tax) commercial landlords in city communities. Even excepting the fact that street vendors are among the most recognizable facets of NYC streets, this legislation overlooks such First Amendment Rights as the freedom of speech, the freedom of press, and the freedom to peacefully assembly. The motivation of the BIDs is unambiguous, however, as they are replacing the banished vendors with literally “thousands of large metal, cement and glass kiosks covered with corporate advertising on the city s sidewalks and in its parks”. Not simply static advertising, either — the kiosks will be covered with the same massive, full-color, plasma displays that have taken over Times Square and many MTA Subway entrances. And lest you missed the Clear Channel connection, take one guess as to who funded this “Street Furniture Initiative” and who will own and operate all of these advertising kiosks.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 31st, 2003 by DeWitt Clinton and is filed under breakdown. You can bookmark this post at del.icio.us. You can digg this post. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.