Justice for Oriel- Studio/ Learning Center Fund
On October 6th the father of my two daughters, Oriel Ceballos, and partner for 15 years was unlawfully harassed, assaulted, punched, headlocked, pepper sprayed, handcuffed, tackled and choked by NYC Park Patrol Peace Officers in Washington Square Park around 3:30 pm.
He was never read his rights or told what he was being arrested for. He was patiently waiting for his summons for not having a table, a minor infraction he’s received many times before, when Sargeant Joseph, a Park Patrol Peace Officer aggressively bear- hugged him from the back. As she grabbed him, she immediately yelled at him to “Stop Resisting”. Similtaneously two other Park Patrol Peace Officers held his arms and repeatedly tried to cuff and trip him as seen in the video.
He was not endangering anyone or disturbing the peace in the park at the time or at any time before they approached him. He was selling his art the way he does every other day to support his family. He was waiting for a summons the way he would do any day when he was suddenly attacked by 3 Park Patrol Peace Officers.
Ultimately, Oriel was arrested and charged with four counts of assault:
1) resisting arrest
2) attempted assault
3) harassment
4) choking
Below are four articles about the recent incident and one TV interview.
https://nyunews.com/news/2019/10/10/washingtonsquarepark-artist-assaulted-detained-peaceofficers/
http://coopersquared.com/2019/10/10/park-officers-arrest-of-artist-leads-to-public-outrage/
https://gothamist.com/news/parks-police-grab-and-slam-artist-on-ground-washington-square-par
https://patch.com/new-york/west-village/video-cops-attack-artist-not-selling-art-table-he-says
https://www.google.com/amp/s/pix11.com/2019/10/11/parks-police-tackled-pepper-sprayed-artist/amp/
Since then our lives have been consumed with reliving that unfortunate afternoon through interviews, journalists, and lawyers in anticipation of the trial on November 13.
Oriel Ceballos has been selling his art at Washington Square for the past three years. His thought provoking work along with his attractive personality and genuine heart has been met with high art sales and unwavering support from artists. He has inspired others to pursue their dreams in various ways not just by selling his art, but through meaningful connections and conversation. When he stops to speak with you, he is completely present and sincere -something you can see in his eyes. This effect coupled with his unbreakable work ethic has allowed him to earn two full-time incomes to support his entire family- no easy task.
Though he may make what he does look easy, selling art in public comes with many laws and restrictions from table height limits to dealing with park enforcement who target you as they did Oriel on October 6, 2019. He is constantly devising new plans to display his artwork, however the strict park rules like the load of carrying a table and weather barriers make it difficult for artists to fully actualize their talent. In fact, it has become downright dangerous to express your art without a table and not be assaulted by Park Enforcement- the same people who took an oath to maintain peace not create disorder.
The aim of this Go Fund Me is to establish a safe space for Oriel and artists like him to display art freely and without restrictions after his unlawful arrest and use of excessive force by Park Patrol Peace Officers for not having a table on October 6, 2019. The funds donated here would go directly to renting a studio space in or around the Washington Square Park area where Oriel can continue to engage the community to show his art and also work with other artists to advance their career through solo and group exhibitions.
Once the goal is met, the space would reflect both a gallery and an educational center and would be used to teach classes for both children and adults in the NYC art community.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact me or Oriel for more information about how the funds would contribute to building an art gallery and learning center in NYC.