TWITTER WATCH: Batman, Joker Testify at City Council's Hearing on Times Square Costumed Characters
By: Michael Dale Mar. 31, 2016
As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, the New York City Council recently introduced legislation to give the NYC Department of Transportation the authority to manage and regulate pedestrian plazas throughout New York City. The bill, Intro 1109, was the subject of a City Council public hearing on March 30th.
In a recent survey, 61% of Times Square employees reported experiencing a negative encounter with a costumed character or commercial solicitor, with 51% of those respondents saying that interaction made them feel unsafe.
As reported by DNAinfo, the council heard testimony by two gentlemen who earn a living mingling with pedestrians for tips as costumed characters in Times Square.
Batman impersonator Jose Escalona-Martinez, Spider-Man Abdelamine Elkhezzani and The Joker Keith Albahae arrived in costume, but were warned by Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez that masks were not allowed in the chambers.
Reporter Maya Rajamani tweeted highlights of the hearing.
City Council hearing on #TimesSquare pedestrian plaza bill happening now. Batman, Spider-Man and The Joker are waiting to testify.
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
The Joker listens as Broadway theater interests testify on the #TimesSquare plaza bill (photo credit @katie_honan) pic.twitter.com/07M6JzvV48
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
16 "bad characters" have been arrested in #TimesSquare so far this year, NYPD's Captain Robert O'Hare says. Last year, 15 arrests total.
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
City Council person asks The Joker if he has a written statement. "No, I'm speaking from my heart," The Joker says.
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
#TimesSquare regs would set up 8 "designated activity zones" in pedestrian plazas, each of which will be "bigger than a city bus," DOT said
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"I'm gonna say something now and I'm not being funny. Why so serious?" The Joker asks City Council members #Times Square #pedestrianplazas
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
The Joker claims City Hall wouldn't let him in with his makeup on. "The real problem is about looking different, okay?" he says.
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"I'm a liberal born and bred in this city but... this is becoming the most fascist city alive, the most prudish place," The Joker claims
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"We have a First Amendment right to look the way we want," The Joker says of the costumed characters in #TimesSquare
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"This is apartheid, what's being proposed here," The Joker says of proposal to restrict #TimesSquare costumed characters to designated zones
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"I agree with The Joker, even though he's a villain," Spider-Man says at city council hearing (photo @katie_honan) pic.twitter.com/F96eWj2tjH
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"The NYPD, instead of focusing on the real crimes... they are harassing us," Spider-Man says on behalf of #TimesSquare costumed characters
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
A Batman who claims he was falsely arrested in February waits to testify at the City Hall pedestrian plaza hearing pic.twitter.com/aJhEJD0oHH
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
Batman starts testimony pointing to the "A Government of the People, By the People, For the People" carved on City Council chamber ceiling
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"We are the people. This is not a government without a people," Batman says. "I'm very concerned about my freedom you know?"
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"I have a name. I like to dress as Batman but that doesn't mean I'm a costumed character," Jose Escalona-Martinez, dressed as Batman, says
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"Who has the right to write over the Constitution of the United States of America?" Batman asks City Council members
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"We need to have respect for those who died for freedom," Batman maintains
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
"I understand about all these people with a lot of money in Times Square, they want to pass a bill. It doesn't work like that," Batman says
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
Batman, The Joker, The Penguin and Spider-Man have left City Hall. Presumably returning to #TimesSquare pedestrian plazas.
- Maya Rajamani (@mayarajamani) March 30, 2016
Videos