Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Performance Artist Arrested In Central Park
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 13, 2009
Modified Jul 13, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 13, 2009
Modified Jul 13, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW] Central Park is filled with street performers and artists, but one has an entire Oscar-winning short documentary about him. Thoth, who performs at Bethesda Terrace, was arrested with another artist yesterday for what he calls "prayforming." He wrote:
"Today, I had my feelings hurt, because as much love and goodness as I have given to the park (the many uncounted times I have cleaned up dog poop in the tunnel while cleaning men passed by), they still do not respect the gift of my being there. How could they sanction the arrest of me and Pink Angel? We still have the handcuff burns on our wrists. Who are the real BUMS?
I did not comply with the cease and desist order form a police officer. However, since I was doing my opening prayer, there is nothing short of an A.O.G that will stop me from praying, including the police. In my devotion, I am uncontrollable and ruthless.
The Central Park Conservancy is trying to stop us from prayforming. We have religious freedom, as well as the right to free speech."
The arrest was caught on tape, and you can see the public was on the side of the artists (see video after the jump). We contacted the Central Park Conservancy for a comment but have not heard back; we're guessing Thoth didn't have a permit, and the Parks Department had nothing better to do.
UPDATE: Thoth tells us "the Conservancy wants to get rid of musicians around the Bethesda Fountain. They were stopping musicians all weekend. Permits are not given. I guess a permit is for making them money right? The charges were: Disorderly conduct, Not complying with an officer, and Misuse of a restricted area. Our court date is August 27th."
Tagged
arrest
bethesda terrace
central park
central park conservancy
performance artist
Pink Angel
prayforming
Thoth
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
Mid-October through mid-December is deer mating season, which can be a danger to drivers as the sex-seeking creatures cross roadways throughout the Garden State.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
News
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
School bus carrying autistic students got lost in Brooklyn for 4 hours last year
By
Jessica Gould
NYC’s bridges can last 'forever,' if we take care of them
By
Clayton Guse
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .