By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — A band of artists sued the New York City Parks Department on Wednesday, saying that the city’s new limits on vending in public parks violate their constitutional rights.
The 11 vendors, known as Artists United, told the Manhattan federal court that the restrictions limiting the number of vendors allowed in Central Park, Union Square, Battery Park, the High Line and other crowded areas violates their right to free speech, the New York Post reported.
It is the second lawsuit filed against the Parks Department since it was announced that the number of vendors would be limited to 120 per day in those areas.
Currently, about 300 art vendors sell paintings, sculptures, drawings and jewelry in the high-traffic spots, according to the Parks Department.
The regulation will go into effect on July 19.
