Street Performers vs. Retailers

Savannah is known for its rich history and traditions. To this day, residents work to protect it, and stood up to voice concerns over those who want to take advantage of the city by bringing about change. Change that if accepted would change the landscape of Savannah.
I'm here to take a stand for all Street performers also known traditional as buskers.
Street performance, or busking, existed in various ancient civilizations, with early records found in ancient Rome. At that time buskers were often viewed as poor beggars so they were restricted to performing in the streets and kept away from the public markets where the upper class would shop. The name refers to performers who "seek" an audience and tips by performing in public places.
Today, the tradition of buskers continues. Artists and performers engaging with their community for donations and to be recognized in hopes of opportunities beyond the streets.
For me, it's about connecting with my community and fellow artists. It's about supporting those of us who create with our hands and perform in the open for people to see. We're not out here selling a manufactured product such as prints. Prints are mass produced using an image the artist created. In some cases the images, by use of AI, are not created using conventional tools such as paint or pencil. Prints are not handmade and not made in the open. Therefore, it is not, by definition, street performance. If you go home with a piece of art created by a busker you can bet it's the only one. You hold the original. No copies.
In the city's Street Performer Policy the term performance or performer is mentioned sixty-two times. No where do you see the term retailer or market place used. And yet, a majority of those with permits, particularly in Forsyth Park are retailers. Set ups larger than what is outlined in the policy. Voicing prices and even marking their product with a price versus expecting a donation. This too is against policy.
There is a long standing tradition with buskers. In the 1800's street performance was one of the few ways to distribute music or art to the community. It was also used to express free speech. 
These days in the United States, the government protects the right to free artistic speech, and under its umbrella, busking. Public spaces generally welcome artistic expression. Street performance can be a fantastic way to breathe soul and cultural ambiance into a city.
Many of those today in Forsyth Park are not Street Performers, they are retailers with a mini market place, set up selling a product they have produced. They have bent the rules for their own financial gain. The rules according to the policy have not been enforced.
If retailers are continued to be allowed to sell and market their business under the umbrella of the city's Street Performer Policy then the city will be responsible for destroying the long standing tradition of buskers and the freedom of artistic expression. Let's not change what Street performance is meant to be into an open market. If these "retailers" want a market place they should open a shop or join those at City Market.