Judge Drops Harassment Case Against Activist Who Read The 1st Amendment In Public [View All]

[Ian David]

Posted: Thursday, 15 November 2007 6:59AM
Judge Drops Harassment Case Against Activist

NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge has dropped a harassment case against a performance artist arrested while reciting the First Amendment through a megaphone at a Manhattan cyclists'-rights demonstration.

Judge Tanya Kennedy dismissed the charge Wednesday after prosecutors didn't meet a deadline to file papers explaining the justification for the arrest of Bill Talen. He crusades against consumerism as "Reverend Billy.''

One of Talen's lawyers, Earl Ward, said prosecutors let the deadline pass in order to end the case. The Manhattan District Attorney's office did not immediately return a telephone message.

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Police said Talen hassled officers by following them while shouting through a bullhorn. Talen said he was speaking up for the riders by reciting the constitutional amendment that enshrines Americans' right to free speech and free assembly.

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