Washington, Mar. 26 (ANI): In a massive blow to the Hare Krishna group or ISKCON, the California Supreme Court has upheld a Los Angeles International Airport ordinance barring solicitation inside its airport terminals.
This ruling has come as the final defeat in a 13-year legal fight by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to secure the right to solicit inside the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) under the First Amendment.
“It’s pretty conclusive, and it doesn’t look like there are any loopholes. As far as I can tell, it’s over,” the Christian Science Monitor quoted ISKCON”” lawyer David Liberman, as saying.
In 1992, ISKCON had filed a suit against New York City airports claiming that a ban on solicitation in terminals violated their First Amendment right to free speech.
After winning in the district court and losing in the circuit court, ISKCON lost its case in the US Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruled 6 to 3 that the city’s prohibition was constitutional because an airport terminal is not a “public forum.”
The Chief Justice further wrote that for the majority, solicitation is disruptive in crowded, busy spaces and negatively affects business there.
In 1999, ISKCON brought a suit against Miami International Airport for its ban on solicitation and the selling of literature anywhere in the vicinity of the airport.
The federal district court and appeals court ruled against ISKCON, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the decision, leaving the Miami International Airport’s restriction – and similar restrictions across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia – intact and legal.
The group again filed a suit in California, and a federal judge ruled in their favor.
But being denied the right to solicit at airport terminals, ISKCON may still distribute literature in California and at some other states at airport terminals. (ANI)
Legendary ‘voice of boxing’ commentator Harry Carpenter dies aged 84
London, Mar 23(ANI): Former BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter has died at the King’s College Hospital, London, following a prolonged illness.
The 84-year-old, dubbed the Voice of Boxing, died in the early hours of Saturday.
Carpenter’s lawyer David Wills said that the legend had been unwell since last summer, when he had a minor heart attack.
“The funeral has not been arranged, but will be a family funeral, to be followed by a memorial service in London,” The Sun quoted Wills, as saying.
Carpenter had joined the corporation in 1949 and worked for almost half a century before retiring in 1994.
He was presenter of programmes such as Sportsnight (1975–1985), Grandstand and Sports Personality of the Year. He also anchored coverage of Wimbledon from 1967 until 1993.
His rapport with British boxing great Frank Bruno was well known.
Bruno’s agent said that the former heavyweight champion was “very upset” at the news.
“He [Carpenter] was obviously part of Frank”s up-and-coming career from the early days when Harry used to commentate, particularly at the Royal Albert Hall, on Frank”s boxing,” the agent said.
“Frank has many acquaintances, but not many real friends. Harry Carpenter was a friend,” the agent added. (ANI)