Busker arrested for playing music on sidewalks sues city

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A busker who has been arrested for playing his saxophone on public sidewalks is suing the city.              

The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday that it had filed a lawsuit on behalf of 62-year-old Manuel Pombo.            

The ACLU says a license Pombo obtained from the city over 20 years ago allows him to perform only at the discretion of police officers. It also prohibits him from soliciting donations.               

The organization says this constitutes a violation of Pombo's free speech.       

Pombo was arrested in July 2013 for playing on a public sidewalk. The charges were dismissed. Pombo says police have threatened to arrest him multiple times.                

A spokesman for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza says the city's legal department is reviewing the ACLU's complaint. He declined to comment further.

© The Associated Press/WLNE-TV 2015