NEW ORLEANS—The ACLU of Louisiana has released an open letter to the City of Slidell regarding its unlawful panhandling ordinance.
The letter reads in part:
The ACLU of Louisiana has learned that the City of Slidell is arresting panhandlers under a City ordinance that prohibits street peddling. That ordinance is unconstitutional on its face, and the City’s enforcement of the ordinance against people standing on public property asking for money – expressive behavior long-protected by the First Amendment – is unlawful. We request that the City immediately cease that enforcement.