Calif. top court bars Hare Krishnas from soliciting funds at Los Angeles International Airport

Court: Hare Krishnas barred from LAX solicitation

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court says Hare Krishnas cannot solicit donations at Los Angeles International Airport.

The unanimous ruling Thursday ends a decades-long dispute between the religious group and city officials. The case has been closely watched by other airports that want to bar organizations from soliciting funds on their property.

The court upheld Los Angeles’ solicitation ban as a reasonable way to protect harried passengers rushing to make travel connections.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California argued that the airport should be open to solicitors, much like a public park.

The group is still free to preach and ask passengers to send in donations later. But it’s barred from asking for immediate donations.