Comedy club owners as well as comedians and assorted elected officials gathered here between Second Avenue and the Bowery to ask the state to let them safely reopen.
Organizer Kambri Crews, the owner of venue Q.E.D. Astoria, had this to say, as reported by Gothamist: "We are holding this rally to ask New York state to give live entertainment the same consideration they've given other industries... For over six months, there's been no rent relief and no plan for us to reopen. New Yorkers can go indoors to the gym, bowling, go gambling in casinos, [but not] a comedy club — it makes no sense."
Their request of Gov. Cuomo: Allow for venues to be able to allow ticketed outdoor live performances (with fewer than 50 people), and either allow clubs to resume indoor shows at 25 percent capacity (similar to restaurants) or at 50 percent but without food and beverage services (similar to bowling alleys).
A Cuomo spokesperson told Gothamist that they hope "to put together guidance where these performances can resume in a way that also keeps New Yorkers safe."
Vulture has more coverage here.
You can read the New York Comedy Coalition's reopening proposal at this link (Google doc!).
