Every fall, Bulldog fans make their pilgrimage to Athens for the near-religious event held at Sanford Stadium. The streets of downtown are filled with football patrons visiting the shops, restaurants and bars that help make Athens’ downtown great.
Intermingled with the hum of cheering crowds is the melody of street performers competing for tips. One of these performers is bucket drummer Chris Harris, also known as “The Bucketman.” But this football season, thanks to a noise ordinance violation, he may be silent.
Harris, a resident of Tampa Bay, Fla., has traveled to Athens every fall for the last 10 years in order to perform for the crowds downtown. His parents live in Covington, and he stays there during the fall in order to save money.
Street performing is how he makes a living to help support his wife and baby, and he travels all over the Southeast to perform at different festivals and events.
On Sept. 4, the opening game against Louisiana-Lafayette, Harris was ticketed by Athens-Clarke County police for a noise violation. This is the first ticket Harris has received in Athens.
Harris said the noise ordinance is unfair to him and is in violation of his First Amendment rights.
“All street performers have protection in freedom of speech,” Harris said. “There are court cases that have set precedence protecting street performers.”
Harris’ claim was further confirmed by University law professor Randy Beck.
“The First Amendment protects freedom of speech which includes street musicians,” he said. “Governments can set limitations on the time, place and noise level of performing music as long as they are not discriminating against a performer because of lyrics or style.”
Read the full story at the Red & Black.
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