By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MEATPACKING DISTRICT — Street artist Robert A. Lederman was arrested yet again on Sunday for allegedly exhibiting his artwork on the High Line.
Lederman, who was arrested on the High Line on Nov. 21, was taken away by police after selling his representations of New York City scenes next to a sign that said, "Stop Harassing the Artists!"
It was the 43rd time he has been arrested by the city's parks police. He was accompanied by another artist Jack Nesbitt, who was also arrested.
Both were handcuffed and each were issued two criminal summonses for disorderly conduct and failure to comply with directions of officers.
Lederman, who is the president of Artists’ Response to Illegal State Tactics, has long argued that artists should have the right to sell their works in the city's parks. He recently turned his attention to Manhattan's newest green addition, the High Line.
“They’re using the High Line as if were private property,” Lederman said. “But it’s absolutely not private property. I am in total compliance with park rules.”
Friends of the High Line would not comment on the incident. Calls to the Department of Parks and Recreation for comment were not returned Monday.
In a 2001 case brought by Lederman, both state and federal courts ruled that the city could not mandate permits for artists in parks under the First Amendment.
Lederman said he is now working on a notice of claim to sue the city and Friends of the High Line.
“Besides civil rights damages, it’s contempt of court,” said Lederman. “They’re enforcing something that’s already been overturned.”
Despite the most recent arrest, Lederman plans to go back to the High Line to sell again this weekend.
“I have a feeling that somebody’s gotta do this,” said Lederman. “It has been made available to me to be this person.”
Lederman is summoned to appear before court on Jan. 21 and Feb 4.
