Mayor responds to OC boardwalk protestors

Boardwalk performers held a demonstration in Ocean City Monday morning, once again opposing an ordinance enacted by the town this summer.

Alex Young, a boardwalk performer says, “I’m hoping that it will send a message basically to the city. I’m really hoping that it sends a message. They’re basically making us like prisoners.”

The ordinance requires performers to sign up twice a week for a designated spot on the boardwalk south of 9th street. This is done once for the week and then once for the weekend. Protesters tell 47 ABC Sunday night, people started getting in line at 6 p.m. to register for their spots on the boardwalk. Registration didn’t start until 9 a.m. Monday morning.

Protestors explained that the registration process forces people to camp outside overnight to get a “good” spot. They also said space restrictions implemented by the town don’t allow them to move freely, lesson their exposure to visitors, and violate their first amendment rights. However, the town disagrees.

Richard Meehan, the mayor of Ocean City says, “All of the street performers in the areas in which they were designated to be, had big crowds. The one thing is because those areas are designated it provides for a better flow of traffic. The tram can maneuver along the boardwalk a little better. It has in no way diminished the ability for the street performers to express their rights or to perform.”

The town says they are continuing to stand by their ordinance. However, they did explain that changes come with challenges and plan to assess the ordinance this fall.