California Supreme Court Rejects Krsihna Challenge To Airport Anti-Solicitation Ordinance

In International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, (CA Sup. Ct., March 25, 2010), the California Supreme Court concluded that a city ordinance prohibiting individuals from soliciting funds at Los Angeles International Airport is a reasonable time, place and manner restriction that does not violate the California constitution. In so holding, the majority also refused to answer a question referred to it by the 9th Circuit-- whether the airport is a public forum. (See prior posting.) The long-running case involves activity by Krishna adherents to practice sankirtan-- approaching people in public to proselytize, solicit donations, sell and distribute literature and disseminate information. Two concurring opinions reached the public forum issue, but came out on opposite sides of it.