Judge: LAX restrictions unconstitutional LOS ANGELES (AP) ? The Los Angeles International Airport practice of corralling Hare Krishnas and other solicitors in cordoned-off areas is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall also issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday barring the city from enforcing an ordinance that took effect Dec. 16 allowing airport personnel to limit solicitors' movements. The preliminary injunction replaces a restraining order she granted on Jan. 18 in favor of the Krishnas' Los Angeles chapter. The Krishnas had sued, alleging their civil rights were being violated. The law requires solicitors to apply for 30-day permits that specify when and where to seek donations. Solicitors are barred from singing, chanting, dancing or shouting. Violations are misdemeanors with fines of up to $500. Attorney David Liberman, who represents the Los Angeles Krishnas, had argued the restrictions violated the group's First Amendment free speech rights by placing them far from pedestrian traffic where they can best solicit. Assistant City Attorney John Werlich, who represents the city-run airport, had argued that the Krishnas' method of solicitation bothered travelers. He also has said that because of post-Sept. 11, 2001, safety restrictions, pedestrians and travelers have been restricted to specified areas. Liberman said Wednesday that the city "brought (the ruling) on itself by taking such a hardline position." He said it boded well for his clients' lawsuit. The judge "had to have a pretty good sense that we were going to prevail," he said. City attorney's spokesman Eric Moses said the city would consider several options, including appealing the preliminary injunction. "We've been working with this group, trying to find a reasonable solution," Moses said in a telephone interview Wednesday evening. "However, I think, as we all know, traveling through airports these days, there is heightened security. That is part of the reason why any extracurricular activities need to have a watchful eye kept on it. "The Krishnas are not doing anything wrong. In a heightened security atmosphere, especially at airports, security and law enforcement personnel need to be able to know and identify people who don't need to be there. "They have every right to be there, but it depends on where." *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@xxxxxxxxx Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Site of the Week: http://www.pscutt.com TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************