Vendor Tries to Ban Filming at Public Art Festival — I Didn’t Let It Slide

When I set out for Delray Beach this week, I was planning a typical First Amendment audit — a straight shot down Atlantic Avenue, from the heart of the city to the beach and back. My goal? Check out public spaces, film freely, and see who respects the right to record in public.

But Delray had other plans.

The city had closed down Atlantic Avenue for an art festival, transforming the street into a bustling outdoor gallery. Artists were set up in tents in the middle of the road, surrounded by tourists, locals, and now… a guy with a camera.

I figured if the city was turning public property into a gallery, it was the perfect time to capture some culture — and maybe test whether free expression was still a two-way street.

“No Video” Signs Don’t Cancel the First Amendment

As I made my way through the crowd, I filmed peacefully — no drama, no confrontation — until I passed one vendor who clearly didn’t like the lens pointing her way.

She called out to me, pointing to a sign that said “No Photos / No Videos” taped to the front of her tent.

I didn’t stop filming. That’s when she decided to escalate — calling me a clown and saying, “Stupid can’t be fixed.”

Let’s be clear: if you bring your art into the public square — especially on a public street, with city permission and taxpayer-funded security — you don’t get to cherry-pick which parts of the Constitution apply. You can’t shut down public photography just because you’re uncomfortable with exposure.

I reminded her of that: “It’s stupid to display your art in public and expect people not to film it.”

No Badge? No Problem. The First Amendment Still Applies.

This interaction wasn’t with law enforcement or a city official — it was with a private citizen who thought a laminated sign could override the Constitution. And honestly, this kind of attitude is just as dangerous.

It’s the soft censorship. The idea that speech is okay… unless someone doesn’t like it.

And that’s exactly why I keep the camera rolling — because even in quiet moments like this, the battle over public rights is still happening.

This Week’s Video Has No Cops — Just Irony

If you’re a long-time GCNN viewer and you’re here for the shouting matches, ego trips, and accountability checks, this week’s video might feel different. There are no handcuffs. No police. No one asking for ID.

But what you will see is an open-air art festival funded by public resources… and one artist who tried to control what the public sees and records.

If you’re only here for the fireworks, skip to the end screen. I’ve got links to GCNN classics with all the confrontational energy you’re craving.

But if you care about the quiet moments where the First Amendment still matters, keep watching.

Special Thanks to MariaTheAgent.com

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The Right to Record Doesn’t Disappear at a Festival

Events like this are a great reminder that freedom doesn’t pause for art festivals. The First Amendment doesn’t turn off because someone hung a painting in a tent. If anything, it becomes more important — because the moment someone tries to regulate what you can and can’t document in public, the stakes get real.

It’s not about being provocative. It’s about being present. And it’s about making sure our rights aren’t trampled by someone else’s fear of being seen.

Next Week: Back to Business

I’ll be back next Sunday at 11 AM with a brand-new GCNN episode — and yes, it’ll bring more of the confrontations and accountability you’ve come to expect.

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