Little L.A. County Impact Seen From Krishna Ruling

A federal appeals court ruling that upheld the right of Hare Krishna members to solicit contributions from patrons of Anaheim Stadium is likely to have little impact on similar facilities in Los Angeles County, officials say.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling this week held that an Anaheim law requiring the Hare Krishnas to obtain a permit before soliciting at the city-owned stadium violated freedom of speech protections in the California Constitution. The city had refused to allow any activity by Krishnas at the stadium.

Under the ruling, stadium walkways and parking facilities are considered public forums similar to streets, sidewalks and parks and should be opened to groups such as the Krishnas.

In Los Angeles, officials at Dodger Stadium and the Coliseum said they believed the ruling would have little bearing on them. In Pasadena, the director of the city-owned Rose Bowl said officials there will review their current policy of allowing the Krishnas to solicit on a permit basis within restricted areas.

“It’s too early to tell” if changes will be made, said Rose Bowl director Don Hunt.

‘Public Forum’ Definition

Krishna attorney Barry Fisher said the Anaheim decision, along with other recent decisions, could be important in helping other municipalities and stadium owners clarify what is meant by “public forum.” He said, “It has implications for Dodger Stadium, which is privately owned.”

Dodger officials, who now prohibit the sect from soliciting donations on the stadium grounds, claim that the fact of private ownership “distinguishes the Dodgers from the situation in Anaheim.”

“I believe we can continue to enforce our policy of not allowing such solicitation,” said Dodger general counsel Sam Fernandez. “We don’t feel this decision applies to us.”

Operators of the Coliseum and Sports Arena, where sect members are allowed to solicit donations in certain areas, say they, too, believe the opinion will have minimal impact.

Guidelines Established

“Five or six years ago, we worked out guidelines for (such) organizations,” said Margaret Farnum, a Coliseum administrative assistant. “They have the privilege to come on the premises as long as they don’t harass people. . . . It has worked out fine.”

Meanwhile, a separate federal court case--brought by a group called Jews for Jesus--could expand the access of religious groups to the interior of certain public buildings. The case is before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

A federal judge ruled in March that the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners’ policy of prohibiting Jews for Jesus members from distributing religious tracts inside terminal buildings was unconstitutional.

If the appeals court upholds the lower court decision, that “could pave the way” for Hare Krishnas to solicit inside airport terminals, said Assistant City Atty. Jim Kapel.

The policy limits Krishnas to walkways outside terminal buildings.