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These characters are a "growing problem," according to a press release announcing the task force, and there have been some high-profile incidents of these panhandling entertainers run amok, like the man in the Elmo costume who was arrested for shouting an anti-Semitic rant. But some of these people have become locally famous, like the Naked Cowboy, and ordinarily they are nothing worse than a nuisance. As for the topless bodypainted women, it's legal to go shirt-free in New York City regardless of your gender. (Although a state senator from the Bronx is trying to make being bare-chested illegal for everyone.)A study of the effects of these performers will be released by Mayor Bill de Blasio's office on October 1, but on Friday there was nary a topless woman to be found in Times Square—despite an abundance of media members looking to find some for interviews—although the costumed characters were standing their ground.One of these characters was Jose Escalona-Martinez, who moved to New York from Cuba 14 years ago. After working a series of unsatisfying construction jobs and failing to find another gig, he decided to go into business for himself. For the past four years, he's been the Batman of Times Square—and Batman is fucking pissed."We have a right, and no one can write over the Constitution of the United States," Escalona-Martinez told me as his very young son stood behind him. "Times Square is not a property of Donald Trump or Rockefeller. It's a public place where everyone can perform and do what they want. Anyone who tells me [to leave], I will press charges."Related: In Defense of Times Square
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