Since the 1940s, musicians had received permits to sing or play at Washington Square Park. Legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Dave Van Ronk would show up for the Sunday concerts.
But on March 27, 1961, Parks Commissioner Newbold Morris authorized a ban on the musicians' permits. The "unsavory appearance" of the musicians was among the reasons he cited for his action. In response, hundreds of folk musicians gathered in the square to protest the ban on April 9. They were met by 50 police officers, who stood by and let them hold a songfest against the parks commissioner, but then moved in as the folk singers and their supporters began to march to a nearby church. Ten people were arrested.
The protests endured six weeks before the ban was repealed.
[–] someguyfromcanada [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Since the 1940s, musicians had received permits to sing or play at Washington Square Park. Legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Dave Van Ronk would show up for the Sunday concerts.
But on March 27, 1961, Parks Commissioner Newbold Morris authorized a ban on the musicians' permits. The "unsavory appearance" of the musicians was among the reasons he cited for his action. In response, hundreds of folk musicians gathered in the square to protest the ban on April 9. They were met by 50 police officers, who stood by and let them hold a songfest against the parks commissioner, but then moved in as the folk singers and their supporters began to march to a nearby church. Ten people were arrested.
The protests endured six weeks before the ban was repealed.
Source.