Judge Overturns Ban on New York Graffiti Party

A judge ruled in favor of a fashion company that wished to showcase 20 graffiti artists’ work on mock subway cars on a public street. The decision overturned a ban New York City officials had imposed amid concerns of promoting vandalism.

Officials initially approved the event. They pulled the permit a week before the scheduled party when Mayor Bloomburg expressed his disapproval.

The judge ruled the ban violated the First Amendment, which is designed to protect freedom of expression, which should extend to artists.

Mark Ecko, a former graffiti artist and founder of fashion company Ecko Unlimited, which scheduled the event, was happy with the ruling.