SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC) – The city of Saugatuck will pay $30,000 to ACLu attorneys to settle a federal lawsuit over its refusal to allow street musicians to perform without a permit.
Before the lawsuit, the city required performers to obtain a permit before taking acts to public streets. Attorneys say that the city’s public entertainment license violated constitutional rights of street performers.
In July of last year, accomplished musicians Gabriel Novak and Christopher Waechter filed the suit after police told them they could not perform without a permit. The city had contended that street musicians could hamper sidewalk traffic outside businesses.
Musicians are now free to perform on the sidewalks of Saugatuck without the fear of arrest or fines.
