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Hare Krishnas cannot solicit donations at Miami airport: US court

The US Supreme Court has refused to let Hare Krishnas solicit donations or sell religious literature at Miami international airport.

The court yesterday rejected an appeal that argued such restrictions violate free-speech rights.

The action, taken without comment, is not a decision and sets no national precedent. But the denial of review lets stand a ruling that applies to all airports in the three southern states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia.

Lawyers for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness had urged the judges to use the Miami case to end such restrictions at US airports that these days closely resemble shopping malls.

The nation's highest court ruled in 1992 that airports nationwide may prohibit groups from soliciting donations in terminals but must allow distribution of free literature. That ruling was sparked by a challenge to restrictions imposed on Hare Krishnas at New York city's three major airports.

The 1992 ruling, reached by a 5-4 vote, said an airport terminal is not a 'traditional public forum' as is a city street or park where free-speech rights enjoy enhanced protection.

The appeal acted on yesterday asked the justices to reconsider the 1992 decision in light of recent significant developments in the airport industry involving the 'increased commercialisation of airport terminals'.

The appeal said Miami's airport has been 'transformed into a prominent shopping centre' where, according to the airport's own statistics, half of all visitors stay at least two hours.

UNI

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