Cosplay crackdown in NYC?
So there has been something that has been grinding my gears and that is the new proposal by NYC City Councilman Peter Vallone to crack down on costumed humans. The legislation introduced is intended to crack down on costume characters or ban them outright. According to CBS, “One bill would require registration, as well as a permission slip proving that the character involved has been licensed, for anyone appearing as a costumed character. The other bill would go farther to ban costumed characters outright.” More from CBS, “Clearly, the situation can’t continue to exist the way it does, and the laws we already have don’t deal with the situation,” said Vallone, a Democrat from the 22nd District.
This is in response to a December episode in which a Cookie Monster by 42nd Street Times Square shoved a little boy, allegedly for not getting tipped by the mother. Vallone has really thrown this out of proportion – mentioning an anti-semetic Elmo, a peverted Mario, and a violent Spider Man. “Something needs to be done” he thinks and so he has proposed banning costumes that have not been licensed by their respective copyright holders.
What does this mean for cosplayers strutting their stuff to New York Comic Con? What does this mean for Halloween parties? Hell.. what does this mean for New Yorkers and tourism? This legislation infringes upon free speech and can only open the flood gates for controlling how people choose to clothe themselves. If Disney wants to sue someone for wearing a Cinderella costume without license then fine but keep the government and MY tax dollars out of it. Who is to stop a police officer from arresting me for wearing a Sailor Moon costume if a ridiculous law like this is passed?
New Yorkers, I encourage you to write to your representatives and let Peter Vallone know that this legislation is unconstitutional. http://council.nyc.gov/d22/html/members/contact.shtml
Vallone, this one is for you:
If you live in Astoria in District 22, vote him out!
