A classical flutist who was arrested on disorderly conduct charges in March for playing his flute in an upscale downtown neighborhood has sued the city authorities for violating his civil rights. The charges against Felix Wilkins were dismissed in May when a judge agreed to his claims that he had the right to play music on a city street.

Wilkins was arrested March 28 as he was playing his pipe at the corner of a public street and an officer walked up to him and told him to stop playing the flute.

But, when Wilkins "asserted his right to play a musical instrument on the public streets of Philadelphia," the officer handcuffed him and hauled him away to the police station where he was "detained for an extended period," the lawsuit claims.

Wilkins' arrest came just a day after Anthony Riley, 20, was arrested for street singing. He is due to appear in court next week. According to authorities, the arrests were part of a crackdown by police on musicians and performers based on complaints from residents.

Earlier this week, City attorney Romulo Diaz said he hopes to forge a compromise between the parties.