9th Circuit Certifies Public Forum Question To Califonia Supreme Court

In a case that has been winding its way through federal courts for eleven years, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has assured no early final resolution by certifying a question of state law to the California Supreme Court. In International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, (9th Cir., June 9, 2008), the court asked the California Supreme Court to decide whether Los Angeles International Airport is a public forum under the Liberty of Speech Clause of the California Constitution. At issue is is a challenge by ISKCON to a Los Angeles ordinance that prohibits soliciting and immediately receiving funds at LAX. Yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle reports on the decision.