Taking It to the Street

USA Today reports that a Dallas, Texas, ban on soliciting money in the street has hurt more than just panhandlers. The newspaper says collections by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which raises funds by approaching people in their cars, dropped from $260,000 to less than $50,000 after the ban.

Comments

[AhmNee]

I would postulate that approaching people while they're trapped in their cars is not the time nor place to hit them up for donations. Sure, it may work but that's no reason to use the tactics of panhandlers and hucksters to get funding for your charity.

[Aresen]

"I would postulate that TAXING people while they're trapped in their HOMES is not the time nor place to hit them up for INCREASES. Sure, it may work but that's no reason to use the tactics of CONGRESS to get funding for your PORK."

fify

[Hacha Cha]

isn't asking for money or simply stating a fact such as, "I am homeless and have no money, I would be so happy if someone would give me money" protected free speech?

[yonemoto]

1st amendment says "*congress* shall make no law..."

[Hacha Cha]

yonemoto, I asked if it was protected free speech, I didn't ask if it was protected under the federal constitution! under article 1, section 8 of the TEXAS CONSTITUTION it states, "Every person shall be at liberty to speak, write or publish his opinions on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege; and no law shall ever be passed curtailing the liberty of speech or of the press."

[Anonymous]

The incorporation doctrine has nullified that.

[Hacha Cha]

isn't asking for money or simply stating a fact such as, "I am homeless and have no money, I would be so happy if someone would give me money" protected free speech?

[kneemoe]

@AhmNee - don't your local fire fighters do the same thing (fill the boot fund drives)? Are you saying they shouldn't?

[parse]

Hacha Cha, it looks like the law specifically targets stepping onto the street to solicit funds, so it's no more a violation of free expression than jaywalking statutes.

[Douglas Gray]

The difference between the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the IRS is that the former does not solicit funds at the point of a gun.

[Kevin Breen]

Yes, and that the Muscular Dystrophy Association does not use any of the money it raises to kill people (that I'm aware of).