L.A. city council restricts roaming airport solicitors

By The Associated Press

10.31.02

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LOS ANGELES — The City Council voted to restrict the movements of solicitors, such as Hare Krishnas, at Los Angeles International Airport.

People soliciting money at the airport will be forced to stand behind booths or in designated areas rather than roam terminals as they now do, the council decided by a unanimous vote on Oct. 29.

The new restrictions on how charitable, religious and political groups can solicit money were developed after the council attempted to ban all solicitation in 1997. That effort was stalled by a federal court injunction and is being appealed.

Airport officials said the new law doesn't violate constitutional rights of free speech. The law is needed now because of the increasingly long lines due to security screening at the airport, authorities said.

"(Travelers) are a captive audience," Los Angeles World Airports attorney Breton Lobner said. Allowing groups to solicit them would not only be unfair but could pose security concerns, he said.

Update

L.A. airport barred from limiting Hare Krishna solicitors
Federal judge grants restraining order in religious group's challenge to airport's new solicitation ordinance.  01.21.03

Related

High court turns away Hare Krishna appeal of anti-solicitation rules
Group sought to solicit donations, sell religious literature at Miami International Airport, arguing that restrictions violate free-speech rights.  02.22.99