NEW YORK, April 25 (UPI) -- Fashion designer Marc Ecko has filed a First Amendment lawsuit on behalf of graffiti artists against the city of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The suit filed in New York federal court Monday also names New York City Councilman Peter Vallone, who unsuccessfully tried to block Ecko's street graffiti party by revoking his permit last August, AllHipHop.com reported Tuesday. A federal judge sided with Ecko and forced the city to reissue the permit last August.
The latest suit challenges the city's new anti-graffiti laws that make possession of spray paint and broad tipped markers by anyone under the age of 21 a criminal offense -- even if the materials are needed for school, work or just art in general. Retailers are also banned from selling spray paint to anyone under 21.
Ecko's suit asks the federal court to block enforcement of the new laws. Affidavits filed by seven young New York artists say the city's laws are stifling their freedom of artistic expression.
