Rev Billy Arrested, Pleads His Case Today

Last Friday, the NYPD arrested performance artist and anti-consumerist [Reverend Billy], claiming his preaching at this month’s [Critical Mass](http://times-up.org/index.php?page=critical-mass) rally constituted “Harassment of a Public Official.” According to a press release by The Church of Stop Shopping, Reverend Billy and his partner Savitri D were reciting the First Amendment to the United States Constitution before police—who appeared to outnumber cyclists—arrested him at the order of the head of the NYPD’s Legal Division, Lieutenant Daniel Albano. The Rev was detained at the 13th Precinct station. [WCBS reports](http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_182080125.html), "Police say Talen hassled officers by following them while shouting through a bullhorn. Officers repeatedly asked Talen to stop before arresting him on harassment and disorderly conduct charges, according to police."

The current [parade laws] empower the NYPD to judge what constitutes a “gathering,” requiring a [permit](http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi) for groups of 50 or more pedestrians proceeding together upon any public street or roadway. The Church of Stop Shopping points out, however, that while cops encircled the Critical Mass cyclists, several hundred avid shoppers waited across the street to purchase the new iPhone, blocking pedestrian traffic and forcing people to walk in the street. Translation: consumerism good, thinking bad.

Noon today at the North East corner of Union Square, Reverend Billy and his attorney, [Norman Siegel], will request that the charges against him be dropped. Of course, The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir will be on hand to sing the First Amendment. What could be more appropriate as we anticipate celebration of the Fourth of July? Besides getting drunk and gorging ourselves on BBQ—now there's an American way we can be proud of.

Photo by Konstantin Sergeyev.