Hare Krishnas to Fight Ban on Solicitation at Airport

Less than an hour after the City Council voted Tuesday to ban solicitation at Los Angeles International Airport, a lawyer representing the Hare Krishna religious group said his clients will fight the measure in court.

Barry A. Fisher, the attorney who 23 years ago persuaded the California Supreme Court to force the city to open the airport to the Hare Krishna sect, said he is prepared to file an injunction against the ordinance.

Fisher, who has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of groups that raise funds at airports, said he will argue that an organization’s right to free speech is compromised if its ability to raise funds is curtailed, as the new city ordinance proposes.

The council approved the ban on second reading Tuesday after a debate in which Councilman Mike Feuer called it “draconian” and unconstitutional. The measure, which would make it illegal to ask for money in the terminals or on the sidewalks at the airport, was sponsored by Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, who said charitable groups should not “panhandle” in order to raise funds.

“This is a quality of life issue,” said Councilman Marvin Braude, who supported the ban.

The council approved the ordinance by a vote of 8 to 4, rejecting a motion by Feuer to send the measure back to committee for more work.

Councilman Richard Alarcon, who urged the council to restrict solicitation in ways that have been upheld by the high court, predicting a court fight if the measure were not fine-tuned.