el cajon public defender working with prosecutors to convict

Busking is the art of performing live music, dance, magic, or other entertaining acts in public places to solicit tips.

Though the term "busker" is widespread in most English-speaking countries, in the USA such artists are referred to as "street performers" or "street musicians." Buskers are usually musicians but can also be actors, clowns, gypsy tarot card readers, mimes or dancers.

There is a definite societal split in favour or against buskers, especially in North America. Some people support buskers and find it adds cultural flavour and art to our streets, making it more European and artsy. Sadly, some view busking as a lowly, hungry practice reserved for the homeless, beggars and unsuccessful performers. These are the people who push to have busking forbidden and occasionally have their way.

A few years back in Vancouver, Canada the local government was looking to forbid "busking and panhandling." I was one angry young busker in relatively near-by Nelson, British Columbia who found the use of "busker" and "panhandler" in the same sentence appalling. These politicians obviously overlooked that panhandling is doing nothing for money, whereas busking is hard work! With enough pressure from many outraged artists and supportive audience members the ban was reversed.

I'm not saying all buskers are worth defending. The talentless vagrant tooting one note on a beer bottle flute for hours on end does not inspire one to fork over an entire money clip, nor does the scabby drunk abusing his ramshackle guitar on the pavement outside the liquor store.