Comment #1

fwlawrence — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:06:22 GMT

At least the sign doesn't say will work for food. Who says there isn't truth in advertising?

Original Blog Entry: Man files lawsuit for his right to beg for maijuana money

truesee — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:23:15 GMT

Times Square 'weed man' files lawsuit for his right to beg for marijuana money

Scott Shifrel

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, July 26th 2011, 7:50 PM

Jefferson Siegel for News

Times Square's weed man Joshua Long, 30, filed a federal suit to protect his right to beg for money to buy marijuana Tuesday.

The Weed Man of Times Square demands his constitutional right to beg.

Joshua Long - who carries a sign saying Help! I need money for weed - filed a federal suit Tuesday complaining that his First, Fourth and 14th Amendment rights have been violated by repeated arrests.

Though the First Amendment protects Mr. Long's right to stand on the sidewalk with his sign, he has been, and continues to be, regularly and wrongfully, arrested, charged and harassed by police officers, the suit says.

These arrests and other harassment have diminished Mr. Long's ability to lawfully beg in Times Square.

Long, 30, has been issued multiple summonses, arrested at least six times, pepper sprayed and harassed by cops, according to court papers in Manhattan Federal Court.

He certainly has the right to stand on the sidewalk and ask for money, said Long's lawyer, Matthew Brinckerhoff. I can only conclude that the police don't like his message.

Long is seeking a court order protecting Long's right to beg and unspecified damages and lawyer fees.

City officials declined comment pending receipt of the suit.

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