Editor,
This is in response to Brandon Curtis's letter published on Tuesday regarding how Mayor Martin Chavez's "gestapo" tactics have sent many people out of Albuquerque, and how the Albuquerque Police Department routinely harasses people.
Some of you may have seen or heard me playing trombone along Central Avenue near the Kimo Theatre during the last year or so. While my playing is clearly still a work-in-progress, many people have left tips in my case and others have stopped to commend me for going out there and playing. I have even appeared on local TV several times, though most of my playing ended up on the cutting-room floor.
For most of my time out there, no one from APD or the Downtown Action Team ever gave me a problem nor did they chase me off Central. Some of them even stopped and encouraged me. Most weekends, I made between $10 and $20, which helped with grocery and laundry money.
Unfortunately, on Feb. 16, a city security officer suddenly appeared at my usual spot, saying I was trespassing on public property, though obviously that wasn't the case. This guy also said the sidewalks in front of the Kimo - and all along Central - were public property and that I would have to "play in front of a private business ... like in front of one of the bars." Otherwise, he would have me arrested.
When I tried to explain to this officer that this was clearly a violation of my constitutional rights, I was told this was because the spot I was playing at had been "reserved for a private party," and that I was no longer allowed to play there. He then radioed APD for assistance, though I angrily left the site.
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Several days later, I heard one of the local bars had called to complain that I was a nuisance and apparently a threat to their business.
What, I ask, is the definition of "trespassing on public property"? And what is the definition of "nuisance" or "threat"? Can someone explain that to me?
There used to be several other performers along Central with varying levels of talent. Most of us made a good amount of money every weekend. Now, the mayor and his flunkies at Downtown Action Team, the bars and, to an extent, APD, have chased everyone away. I'm now one of them.
All just to placate a bunch of his contributors and not anyone else. And the sad part of this is I'm clearly not a homeless person panhandling for money. I pay taxes, I vote in elections, I work two jobs and I help pay the mayor and police chief's salaries.
Oh, and I'm working my way through UNM and trying to graduate.
All in all, just another example of how our city and its mayor stifles anyone who doesn't kowtow to his cronies and his personal rule.
Too bad he and the entire City Council can't be recalled, such as a certain former California governor who essentially did the same things to his constituents five years ago.
Ivey Janette McClelland
UNM student
