ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- For years, performers and vendors in St. Augustine have fought for their rights to practice their trade in public areas, sometimes taking their battle to the courtroom.
The city has created laws that limit performing and selling goods on the streets, and now has been considering an ordinance to regulate the horse and carriage industry. This led several groups to join together at a rally Tuesday evening.
Marianne Lerbs has been in St. Augustine for 18 years, practicing her profession as a musician and artist.
"This is a positive asset to the city," Lerbs said. "And artists make a living just like everybody else, so all the money that artists produce comes back to the city because we live here."
But over the years, where Lerbs can practice has been limited and she, and other artists and musicians, have been banned from the plaza and St. George Street.