After thinking about what happened to me at this event and hearing stories from others regarding this same subject, street performing on the grounds of the Seattle Center during various events held there and the same event, it got me to wondering if there isn't a bigger issue here, that of freedom of expression and whether my rights to that freedom were violated due to the actions of this security person. I mean, I wasn't trying to pistol whip someone with a loaded handgun, I was merely entertaining people via my music. Is that a crime? Is that a reason to involve the use of the SPD?

One friend, a wonderfully talented hammer dulcimer player, told me that, while playing music on the street, he was arrested and cuffed in front of his audience. They booed the officers as the police loaded him into their car and took him around the corner where they then released him. He went to court hoping to present his case but the judge merely dismissed it before he could have his opportunity. He questioned the judges decision because he wanted his day in court and was almost jailed for contempt.