Suit Seeks Right To Proselytize Outside Shopping Center

On Monday, Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court against the city of Jacksonville, Florida on behalf Christian activist John Schaffer to vindicate his right to proselytize passersby near Jacksonville Landing shopping center. (Press release.) At issue are his speech rights in the exterior commons area and perimeter sidewalks of the Landing. These are owned by the city and are not leased to the shopping center. The complaint in Schaffer v. City of Jacksonville (full text) alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments and of Florida's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. ADF has filed a Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment.